Abuse comes in all kinds of forms. It's not always visible for what it really is. Sometimes it's so well disguised that the victim believes that nothing is really wrong. Their innocence comes crashing down around them and the harsh darkness of despair traps them like animals, desperate and afraid.
It's rough, but Abuse of all forms is meant to tear the soul to shreds. Disrupt the mind, alter the thinking.
 There are types of abuse, some not as evident as others.

Some types of abuse are:

Physical Abuse - any unwanted physical attention - violence - hitting - breaking things
Sexual Abuse - unwanted sexual attention - the use of sex to manipulate or threaten - threaten for sexual favors
Emotional Abuse overpowering victims emotions - name calling and downgrading, false accusations, humiliating victim
Financial Abuse - with holding of money to manipulate - taking money from victim
Social Abuse -controlling who the victim can and can not talk to, treating victim like a servant, puts down or ignores victim in public
Environmental Abuse - breaking things, slamming cabinets - locking in/out - purposely driving recklessly to intimidate- neglect
Chemical Abuse - overuse of illegal or mood altering drugs/drinks, anger when using, has to use to feel "normal", Uses household funds to support habit.

I myself have been witness to all of these types of abuse within my family.

Abuse knows no age, gender, or ethnicity. All people can fall victim, man, woman, child...
If you believe you are in a harmful situation please seek help. Consult a friend, visit a few online support sites, and please know, you are not alone.
Our children are important, they are our future. Abuse cycles, if you are in an abusive relationship and have children, please see the world through their eyes, and protect their innocence. Find help.
There are all kinds of abuse, and all lead to depression, guilt, shame, and darkness in general. There are all kinds of help and support out there. Check your local yellow pages for shelters, contact the police, a lawyer, just contact someone... You can even type in the words "abuse support" into an internet search engine and find information at your finger tips. Always be safe.