Abuse & Assault

Abuse & Assault: How They Impact Women

Across the world, women experience different forms of abuse and assault, ranging from domestic violence, non-consensual sexual acts, and emotional manipulation, every year.

Abuse and assault can have serious consequences for women of any age, from physical injuries to psychological effects like depression.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, most often from an intimate partner.

No one deserves to be hurt or exploited by someone you trusted. If the unthinkable happened or is happening to you, know that help is available.

We’re here to help you navigate the effects of abuse and assault and begin your healing journey.

What Are Abuse and Assault?

Abuse and assault are two closely linked terms that describe different forms of harm that could impact women.

Here’s what to know about each:

• Abuse is a broader term that covers any type of harm or intent to harm that you experience.
• Assault is an intentional act that causes fear of harm, according to Cornell Law School. However, physical touch isn’t required.

Even if you don’t have the physical marks to show it, abuse or assault can leave long-lasting scars. But it’s also important for women to know that healing is possible.

Types of Abuse and Assault Women Experience

Women may experience many different forms of abuse and assault. In many cases, multiple types of violence occur at the same time. Learn about the types of abuse that women commonly suffer and how to get help below.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the use of force that causes injury or harm. Any form of unwanted physical context could be considered abuse, including hitting, slapping, choking, pushing, kicking, or using objects as weapons.

In the U.S., up to 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence per the National Library of Medicine. Physical violence can escalate over time and may lead to serious injury or death.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse includes any unwanted sexual contact that occurs without consent. This may involve rape, attempted rape, sexual coercion, or forcing someone to perform sexual acts.

Sexual abuse is far too common among women. In fact, about 1 in 5 women has been raped at some point in their lives, per the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Abuse may not leave physical marks. Mental or psychological harm can impact a woman’s well-being for a long time after the fact.

Psychological abuse involves behaviors that harm a person’s emotional well-being or sense of self-worth. Examples include threats, humiliation, intimidation, manipulation, yelling, and isolating a woman from her friends and family.

Economic Abuse

Economic abuse occurs when an abuser controls financial resources to limit a woman’s independence. This may include preventing someone from working, controlling income, or restricting access to money or financial accounts.

Call (877) 904-4241 to get support and understanding if you’ve suffered abuse. We’ll listen to what happened and recommend ways for you to move forward.

Child Abuse and Its Effect on Women

Far too many people experience abuse in childhood, and girls are more likely to be harmed. In 2023, over 280,000 girls suffered child abuse compared to 260,000 boys.

In fact, roughly 1 in 4 girls suffer sexual abuse in childhood compared to just 1 in 20 boys, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Experiencing abuse of any kind during childhood can have lasting effects on women’s physical and mental health well into adulthood. Women who experienced abuse as children may be more likely to develop mental health problems like depression and anxiety, as well as chronic conditions like heart disease.

Child abuse is associated with what researchers call Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Studies show that ACEs can affect brain development and long-term stress responses, increasing the risk of chronic health conditions later in life.

If you suffered abuse or neglect during childhood, it’s incredibly important to know that healing is possible. Resources like therapy and support groups can help you process what’s happened — and accountability could be possible through the legal system.

How Elder Abuse Impacts Women

The majority of elder abuse victims are women, accounting for over 65% of cases, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Psychologists. Women can be abused by at-home caregivers, loved ones, and in nursing homes or by other caregivers.

Elder abuse can take many forms, including:

• Emotional or verbal abuse
• Financial exploitation
• Neglect of a woman who can’t care for herself
• Physical assault
• Sexual battery

Elder abuse can significantly harm older women at a time when they should be spending time with cherished loved ones. The Office on Women’s Health notes that women who experience elder abuse have a higher risk of premature mortality, irrespective of other health issues they’re facing.

Effects of Abuse and Assault On Women

Abuse and assault can cause a wide range of issues for survivors. Women may experience immediate injuries, mental health concerns, and long-term medical complications.

Physical Injuries & Illnesses

Physical violence frequently results in injuries such as bruises, cuts, fractures, or internal trauma. Some women experience head injuries, strangulation injuries, or other life-threatening complications.

According to the WHO, about 42% of women who experience intimate partner violence report physical injuries resulting from the abuse.

Physical injuries that women suffer could lead to long-term complications such as chronic pain, scarring, and even disability depending on the severity. Stress and trauma from violence have also been linked to a variety of medical conditions, including chronic pain disorders, gastrointestinal problems, and cardiovascular disease.

Tragically, 50,000 women and girls died in 2024 alone due to abuse committed by family members or intimate partners, per UN Women.

Mental Health Issues

The effects of abuse can extend well beyond visible injuries, with women experiencing long-term mental health consequences as a result of the harm suffered.

Women could go on to develop conditions like:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance use disorder

According to the WHO, women who experience intimate partner violence are significantly more likely to develop depression compared with women who have not. Existing mental health concerns that women have could also worsen as a result of what they’ve experienced.

Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues

Abuse and assault can significantly affect a woman’s reproductive health. Women experiencing abuse face higher risks of unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and complications during pregnancy.

The WHO reports that women harmed by partners may face increased risks of:

• Low birth weight infants
• Miscarriage
• Premature birth

Sexual assault can also lead to long-term sexual health issues such as chronic pelvic pain or sexual dysfunction.

Common Perpetrators of Abuse Against Women

Anyone can perpetrate abuse against women, ranging from those they trusted to strangers.

Common perpetrators include:

• Spouses or intimate partners: More than a third of all women suffer physical or sexual violence or stalking from an intimate partner during the course of their lives, per the CDC.
• Acquaintances or friends: Nearly 41% of women who report rape name an acquaintance as the perpetrator, as noted by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC).
• Family members: Parents, siblings, stepparents, and more are all capable of abusing the women in their lives.
• Rideshare drivers: More and more reports are rising about how Uber and Lyft drivers have committed unacceptable acts of abuse and assault on female drivers — and how the companies failed to swiftly protect women.
• Strangers: People whom women don’t know also commit acts of abuse or assault. For instance, over 15% of women who suffered a rape reported that a stranger was the perpetrator, as noted by the NSVRC.

No matter who hurt you, we’re here to help you begin the healing process. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll walk with you and offer the support you deserve.

Resources for Women Who Have Suffered Abuse & Assault

There are a variety of important resources to help women who’ve been hurt move forward, stay safe, and get a fresh start.

Don’t wait: Call 911 if you or someone you love is experiencing immediate or life-threatening harm. Doing so could help protect against serious injury or death.

Key resources for women recovering from abuse include:

• Domestic violence hotlines offer judgment-free support, advice, and resources.
• Immediate medical treatment heals the physical injuries or ailments that stem from what happened.
• Shelters for abused women allow them to physically distance themselves from abusers, getting a fresh start at a safe place.
• Support groups connect women with other survivors, helping them feel less alone and find more support options.
• Therapy for abused women helps manage the mental concerns that may arise as a result of the abuse.

Many organizations are specifically geared toward helping women who’ve survived different types of abuse, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the Office on Violence Against Women, and local branches of child and adult protective services organizations.

Legal Options for Women Who’ve Suffered Abuse

Women who experience abuse may have legal options available to them. These options vary depending on age, location, and the circumstances of the abuse.

Two main options to consider are:

• Criminal cases are handled by the state and pursued by a prosecutor. The survivor does not control whether charges are filed or how the case proceeds. Criminal cases focus on punishment, such as fines or incarceration.
• Civil abuse claims are separate from criminal cases. A civil claim is typically brought by the victim and seeks financial compensation rather than criminal penalties. Compensation from these cases may address medical care, therapy costs, lost income, and long-term emotional harm.

At Her Case Matters, we partner with a network of experienced attorneys across the country who may be able to help women grappling with the impact of abuse.

Call (877) 904-4241 to get in touch. There’s never any pressure to take action — we’re here to simply listen to your story and help you move forward.

Supporting Women Affected by Abuse & Assault

Cases of abuse continue to change the lives of women all over the world every year. No woman should have to navigate life after abuse or assault on her own.

At Her Case Matters, we’re here to offer support to help you start the healing process and explore your options.

Work with us to:

• Share your story
• Understand your options
• Feel less alone in your journey

Call (877) 904-4241 or get a free case review to speak with us about your situation.