What affects your risk of becoming a victim?
Physical abuse can happen to anyone. But the chance of becoming a victim of abuse may be higher if any of the following factors are present:
What factors may increase your chance for being a victim of abuse?
- Abusing alcohol or drugs
- Having an unplanned pregnancy
- Abused as a child
- Having certain medical conditions, such as:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Chronic pain
- Mental health problems, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression
- Personality disorders
- Being part of a group that has a higher risk for abuse (vulnerable population), such as:
- The homeless
- People with mental health problems
- Sex workers
- People with developmental delays
- The elderly
- Substance abusers
- Teens
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: January 18, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Brigid McCaw, MD, MS, MPH, FACP - Family Violence Prevention | |
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