Re: What is abuse? What isn't abuse?

I absolutely agree re the "hidden" abuse. "Hidden" abuse is deliberate, to an extent, and I'll explain why. When a person chooses to drink, even though they are well aware that they cannot control their addiction, they are responsible for tipping that bottle or raising that glass. The abuse that results from someone's addiction isn't defined as "hidden," as the cause is obvious along with the effects.

And, men are also victims of domestic violence and abuse - they are so stigmatized that they will not report the incidents. I have heard police officers who responded to a domestic disturbance come back joking and cracking on the caller that he "...can't control his woman..." For men, it is particularly horrible in that they are not taken seriously, are viewed with tongue in cheek, and often ridiculed by the very Peace Officers who have been sworn to serve and protect.

Another segment of the population that is hardly ever discussed is the gay community - incidents of domestic violence and abuse within the gay community are on an even steeper climb than that of the heterosexual population. Again, it is the stigma of "...being gay..." that they are fighting when they attempt to report violence or abuse. "What do you expect with Those People?" a responding cop once remarked - I was horrified.

Abuse is abuse and it crosses all boundaries of socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, and employment status.