Resources  email page print page Basic Information Introduction to AbuseAbuse DefinedTypes of AbuseDomestic Settings of AbuseInstitutional Settings of Abuse and Hate CrimesRecognizing AbuseEffects of AbusePost-Abuse Vulnerabilities Why Do People Abuse?Why Do Adults Stay In Abusive Relationships?Changing Attitudes About AbuseIf You Are An Abuser...If You or Your Children Are Currently Experiencing Abuse...Abuse - If You Have Been Assaulted or Raped...If You Are a Third Party to Abuse...Preventing AbuseAfter the Abuse Has EndedAbuse Reporting Resources More Information 'The Magdalene Sisters' as an Illustrated Abuse PrimerAbuse Reporting ResourcesAn Abuse Victim’s Story: Beaten By Boyfriend, Then Burned By The CourtAn Interview with Daniel Sonkin, Ph.D. on Domestic ViolenceChild Abuse and the Role of Parental DenialElder AbuseHow Does the Child Welfare System Work?Legal Assistance for Elder AbuseMandated Reporters of Child AbuseSexual Assault ResourcesSome Thoughts about Victimization, Anger and AbuseThe Bystander Effect, What Would You Do?Wise Counsel Interview Podcast: Steven Levenkron, MS on Childhood Sexual Abuse of Women Latest News Male Abusers Often Sabotage Birth Control With PartnersChildhood Mistreatment Linked to Issues With MigrainePolicy Statement Addresses Child Abuse, Neglect IssuesWitnesses to Bullying May Suffer Most of AllBruising Pattern Can Predict Likelihood of Child AbuseViolence Between Couples May Not Be SpontaneousBattered Women's Ills Go Beyond BruisesImpact of Maternal Depression and Abuse on Children StudiedDoctors May Be Able to Predict Domestic Abuse Questions and Answers Delusional and Morbid Jealousy?I Don't Know Anymore. Please Help.Insane JealousyHow Can I Talk About My Greatest Fear?InorgasmiaAm I In Danger?Sexual Abuse and Its Effects on Relationships AfterwardsSociopath or Sociopath-like Product of My Environment?Is She Mentally Ill?Narcissistic StepfatherWill the abuse still continue?AngerSexual issues with husbandHelpShould I Switch Therapists? Sara, Nov. 4, 2008Did I push them too much?Violent/murderous sexual fantasiesIs it my fault that I was sexually abused? Did it make me gay?I am really worried about my mental health (19yr old female)I am a beautiful girl.....so why is my boyfriend selfish in bed?Is It Abuse? - Erin - Jun 24th, 2008My boss asked me about my sex life and im only 16.. please read!Abusive Relationshipabuse survivorI believe my husband sexually abused my daughter and is at risk for doing the same to my grandchildren. What should I do now?Why do I beat myself up over what they think?Is it my fault if my family falls apart after he cheats?Living with boyfriend - Am I dealing with one person or two?This guy I bullyCan he be changed?Münchhausen Disorder 'biproxy' (by Proxy)I get paralysed and cant do anythingHow do I keep my conduct disordered step-son from molesting my children?Rape victim who cuts and engages in BDSM to self-punish asks, 'Why am I like this?'cycle of abuse, but no apologiesFeel like I'm trappedFather is abusing and controlling my motherHow can I change my life?how to overcome sexual abuseviolent brotherSelf esteemHow to help a loved one who sees no problemHealthy sexuality not instinctual for me after abusive situationsi don't know if this is abuseafter verbal abuse19 year old daughter in abusive relationshipForgotten or just ignored?Domestic ViolenceIs this Schizophrenia?How to Deal with the Loss of Familyabout my childhood and why I am like this, but what can I do to changeDid I Love my husband and still abuse him emotionallyWhat is wrong with me?What Would This Be?A Request for HelpAdult ChildrenIs there a difference between abuse and trauma?My adult child has accused my husband of sexually abusing her...Regret my decision every single dayHe has hit me on a few occasions ...Need to find a reason for the abuseI'm a cutter and can't remember anythingHow Does Childhood Abuse Influence Adulthood?Abusive Older SisterAbusive MotherKilling Myself In His KitchenFear Of Remembering ThingsViolent SisterAbuse Warning SignsBest Way To Deal With Verbal AbuseMy RoommateA Mean, Verbally Abusive WomanConfused While Leaving An Abusive RelationshipPossibly Molested DaughterStill SufferingI Don't Know If I'm GayAbusive FatherWhat Abuse Looks Like #2Are Battered Women Mentally Ill?Recognizing Verbal AbuseDissociates When IntimateAre Bipolars Abusive?Daughter's Violent MarriageDefinition Of Being BeatenThe Aftermath of AbuseThe Goal of TherapyHaunted College StudentToxic ParentsAbused WifeAbuse and TraumaNo Desire For Sex 1Was I Sexually Abused?Mental AbuseLow Self-EsteemIntimacy IssuesAbusive GirlfriendEmotionally Abusive Marriage: What To Do?False PromisesAn Angry HusbandMy Gay Son?jb writes:Carol-Ann writes:Laura writes: Blog Entries An Abuse Victim’s Story: Beaten By Boyfriend, Then Burned By The CourtChild Abuse and the Role of Parental DenialThe Bystander Effect, What Would You Do?An Interview with Daniel Sonkin, Ph.D. on Domestic ViolenceThe Child is Father to the Man Abuse of Special Needs Children in our Public SchoolsChild Abuse PreventionBorderline Personality DisorderShould I Stay or Leave this Marriage or "When Is Enough Enough?"Child Abuse and Chronic Fatigue SyndromeAn Interview with Yulonda Brown on Surviving Abuse and Bipolar DisorderDomestic Violence: The Hidden Story of Abused MenAbused as a Child: Permanently Damaged?The Sexual Harassment of Girls and Sexual Minorites In Our SchoolsThe Long Lasting Negative Effects of AbusePeople Who Abuse, Are they Evil?Sexual Harassment in the Work Place, An ongoing problemAn Interview with Steven Levenkron, MS on Women's Childhood Sexual AbuseElder AbuseSome Thoughts about Victimization, Anger and AbuseThe Borderline Personality Disordered Family, Part III, HealingThe Borderline Personality Disordered Family, Part II: The ChildrenThe Borderline Personality Disordered Family, Part IYoung Women and Sexual VictimizationIs This the Right Person for Me?Why People Remain In Abusive Relationships: Another Point of ViewWhat Kind of Father Are You?Good article concerning 'Spiritual' AbuseStockholm Syndrome and Regular Old AbuseEarly verbal abuse results in more adult depressionThe Deleterious Effects of Child Abuse'The Magdalene Sisters' as an Illustrated Abuse Primer Links [2] Articles[2] Associations[7] Community[3] Government[41] Information[5] Journals[1] Training[2] Research[1] Self-Help[6] Personal Experiences Book Reviews A Stir of BonesAccounts of InnocenceBecoming AnnaBreathing UnderwaterBruisesBut I Love HimDemons of the Modern WorldLittle ChicagoThe Kindness of StrangersThe UnsayableTrue BelieverViolent PartnersWhen Jeff Comes Home

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Institutional Settings

In addition to abuse that occurs in the home, there are many institutional settings where abuse may take place. Sexual harassment and bullying may occur in the workplace. Peer bullying may occur in schools. Date rape and other forms of sexual assault may occur on college campuses and other settings in which dating and flirtatious behavior occur. All manner of people under institutional care, including mental patients, retarded persons, nursing home patients, board and care residents, prisoners, and children in daycare may be abused. Abuse also occurs in religious settings, as is evidenced by the numerous sexual molestation abuse scandals within the Catholic church

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Hate Crimes

Hate crimes are another type of abuse, and one which can occur anywhere and any time. In the United States today, the most commonly publicized hate crimes are those perpetrated on particular ethnic groups (such as persons of Middle Eastern descent, or African-Americans), those based on sexual orientation (e.g., "gay-bashing"), and those due to religion (often aimed at Jewish and Islamic groups). Religious buildings, including churches, synagogues and mosques, are commonly targeted and vandalized. When targeted religious buildings serve particular ethnic or sexual-orientation groups, it is difficult to know if the target was the religious group itself, or their membership, or both. Hate crimes also regularly occur due to gender and disability status. Hate crimes may include verbal, physical or sexual abuse perpetrated on people or property destruction, including graffiti, cross-burning, and arson.

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Thank you!

Institutional Abuse - Jennifer - Oct 15th 2008

Even tho I have not been abused by a professional, (but have been severely by a husband) I absolutely believe you because the mental health system is HORRIBLE! I know this from my experiences with them over the years I have gone and taken my children. I am so sorry, and just know that there ARE people who will believe you. They may not be able to help you, but at least you get what you deserve...to be believed.  I dont even know you and I believe you.  If you ever decided to go back, or just wanted to try to do something about whats happening to people like you, TAKE A HIDDEN AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDER! Talk to an attorney to see what can and cant be used as evidence in your state!  Wouldn't you love to see the look on one of those 'councelors' faces as they lie and you hold the proof in your hand?  Not only this, but I strongly believe in karma.  Know that what they have done WILL come back to them...its the way of the universe!

- - Sep 2nd 2007

I was gald when told I was going to go to hospital .I was ill .I coudlnt sleep and wasnt alright at home .It felt like a relief .Unfortunately when I got there .

I had pain .N one saw to it . I saw a psychiatrist with a dressing gown on one morning .He asked me whilst I was ill the reason I didntdo my hair.He also told me to tkae one of his papers to a desk .I am il though .Im the paitent .Un fortunatelyI dint get rest .I was made to get up .I needed rest .

My family shouted at me and dint help matters.Beofre then I was abused.I saw the health system as something to trust and would help .It didnt .

I have since been 3 times .

The last was the worst .Since being told lotsof things and being being allowed to do things myself and not being made well,as whati had was

tranqulizers which dont make people well only sleepy I was too well really .Funny enough .

I was too ill totake medicine myself and was shunned for being that ill .

I was forced to have medicine in the end becasue i was falling asleep with the medicine they gave me .

I didnt like that .I even asked one of the nurses would they force me to have it ," SHE said truthfully of course .nope ." .They did .

I was told i had schizophrenia at one time .I broke down and sobbed.What for? . I was told i had a breakdown at first with depression and anorexia .I didnt have schizophrenia .I was abused and ill andneed making well .But oh I was behaving stangely and had Schizophrenia .Of course i would behave silly if i was psychotic enough fomr abuse like a deranged monkey in a laboratory doing experimantal things .

In the end after leaving i had medicine and ended up pacing the floor .The medidcne was moving me too much and i couldnt keep still .I had to stop the Zyprexia .Who hoo .I was glad .

I piledweight on and i must say the health and stateon me relly did improve ,seeing that i was unhappy being so big and told what to do it really did .

Well ,I am more well i must admit since then .I dont try to do courses .I dont enjoy a walk out now and I dont feel as confidnet to do stuff .I dont even wish to go anywehre on my own and my independence has vanished slight l.Butim classed as alright for that .

I a, glad I dont have to stay in my room though over christmas not knowing whati was doing when i was seriously ill .But ddintget well becasue i had tranqulizers insteadof good medicnie .

Now i have employeed discriminating against me and telling me im ill for some reason .People ignoring you .Men calling you ,trying to make you more ill .The doctors dont wish to know if you go becasue your goging strange because people keep telling you to get lost .

I a glad you took the people to court .I would too if I could .

Too many mental paitents cant do any thing and have been stopped from doing so they cant fight back .

Some people are helped by theses doctors ,Ther are too many bent and nasty ones and too many peole who discriminate against them In a way it is like racial hate .

Thanks

Reply to posting on Institutional proffesional abuse - rosalind marie wilson - Apr 24th 2007

I am writing in response to the woman whom recieved abuse from professionals within an institutionalised setting whom had mental illness whom was then scorned as having a twisted sense of reality or made to appear paranoid when she came to testify the judges disregarding her because she had mental illness in favour of others because of weighting notoriety support or professional status I have been in this situation and have been seriously violently physically and mentally harmed and can fully empathise with her view point in essence im sorry to say I have discovered there is no one and no way out. No one will ever believe you and those whom hurt you will always want to cover their tracks they have no respect or regard for you or your suffering because they are twisted themselves. They excuse their behaviour with your label oh she was ill she bought it on herself she is irrational ect almost as though you deserved what happened to you when that is not at all the case.

Institutions look after their own if there is anything I have ever learned it is that they cover their own mistakes their own backs and each other.

Like you I nearly died because I was isolated and there was no one. In terms of positivity i have some advice for you although obviously as I have stated there is no resolution.

Accept your victim status keep your sense of selve accept what those people did to you is wrong it will always be wrong accept your suffering and accept your victim status then learn to gain strength from the fact that you are surviving somehow you have the strength deep within you to keep going. Mental disability is not an excuse to harm someone or not treat them with equality and respect having a mental disability should not make you inferior but that is todays society and stereotypes such as the handful of violent or criminal traits that are out there magnified by the media take precedence which is unfair. So keep strong accept your status dont fight it and work on your coping stratagies.

Try not to become angry hurt defensive or bitter I have been down this road and it just acts as a reinforcement for negative views and opinions which is not what you need the kind of told you so attitude then you feel you let yourselve down even though it was just you trying to cope with cruelty and injustice.

I was violently mentally assaulted and physically degraded in a home I stayed in where I was supposed to be protected and safe it was covered up and my situation was neglected the mental scars this leaves never heal but they become gentler with time it is important you do have someone to speak with when you are afraid to go to proffessionals as they are the ones whom hurt you. What you need to do is perhaps in the first instance make sure you can talk support groups are good for empathy mind can send you a list there is also careline counselling support whom are good and the samaritains are good if you need to feel they are heard as they cannot judge you or make comments like you are mad paranoid or dellusional.

I know it hurts it hurts everyday knowing what you have suffered and you have no belief or recognition that you have had mental illness along the way but you are also essentially telling the truth and just need some help so no one can hurt you again and your helped to heal from what has already happened. Proffessionals sometimes feel that their own status is a given right to control a mentally ill person sometimes abuse occurs when that control is misused or falls into the wrong hands.

Keep strong keep your coping stratagies in place talk when you can I am sorry your situation is the same as mine it cannnot be resolved or healed because you have a mental health history and the proffessionals hold more power. You can go to the citizens advice bureaux and they can give you addresses of ombudsmen for the professional concerned these are groups at the top that deal with misconduct although I found when I tried this route that you just seem to recieve more of the same which is they cover their own and dont look at you as an individual but a labelled medical history tarnishing their perspective but it is worth a try if your feeling that taking no form of action is leaving you feeling helpless.

I have the uptmost respect for you, keep strong and be gentle on yourselve they may not know but I have walked in those moccasins and I do especially when you refer to being further hurt or punished for speaking out.

If you are abused again make sure you speak to someone you can trust or whom may really want to help hospital advocacy isn't too bad at least you feel you have someone beside you you can speak to your Hospital patient liason team then at least you know the Hospital is aware.

Hope I helped a little the world is not a fair place a brave woman whom was also mentally ill said this to me and I will leave this for you

This world is a horrible place if you have not cracked up in it then there must be something wrong with you.

Take care love to you.

Abuse by Professionals - Living In Fear - Jul 13th 2006
I have a history of abuse from childhood. One of the most important things for me is to be believed. I have also been abused by "Mental Health Professionals". In one way it was worse than what happened at home, because I trusted these people. Trust has never come easily for me. The people working with them helped cover up what happened. It is almost impossible to get anyone to believe you. The only ones who have believed me, either couldn't help or wouldn't help. You get dismissed as paranoid or worse. I spent a long time trying to right this and only got hurt more for the effort. As one lawyer said, they are "professionals", you are an agitated mental patient with a skewed sense of reality, who do you think will be believed? I trusted these people for over 4 years before this happened. This has had devastating affects for me. I doubt I would willingly see a doctor or go to a hospital again regardless of the results of not going. I need accountability from this system. Since this has happened I have met a lot of other folks with similar experiences. Exactly how do I and others like me get help? Why should I believe anyone when they say you can trust me? How do you get help if you can't trust and aren't believed?