Characteristics of Victims
| Type of Victim | Characteristics |
|---|
| Child | - Incest generally begins after 9 years of age
- Self-blame for family conflict
- Low self-esteem
- Fear of parent or caretaker
- Cheating, lying, low achievement in school
- Signs of depression, helplessness
- One child sometimes singled out in family due to being labeled as “difficult,” product of unwanted pregnancy, reminds the parents of someone they dislike or even themselves, prematurity (inhibited parent-child bonding)
|
| Spouse/Domestic partner | - Low self-esteem
- Self-blame for batterer’s actions
- Sense of helplessness to escape abuse
- Isolation from family and friends
- Views self as subservient to partner
- Economic dependence on abuser
|
| Elder | - Older than 75 years of age
- Mentally or physically impaired
- Isolated from others
- Female
|