Additional Types of Abuse

Here are three additional types of abuse that fit into the categories previously mentioned, but they are generally thought of as distinct and different. They are stalking, sexual assault and domestic violence. Often caregiver abuse will present with similar dynamics as domestic violence. These types of abuse are not mentioned by name in the Protection of Vulnerable Adults statutes. They can easily be overlooked and not reported to APS.

Stalking generally refers to harassing or threatening behavior that is engaged in repeatedly, such as following a person, appearing at a person’s home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects or vandalizing a person’s property. Each state has different definitions and most define it as “the willful, malicious, and repeated following and harassing of another person.”

As noted in the definition of rape, attempted rape, unwanted sexual contact or threats, sexual assault includes any kind of sexual touches on any part of a person’s body without consent, with or without clothes.

Domestic violence is defined as a “pattern of coercive and abusive tactics used to gain power and control over a partner in an intimate relationship." Approximately 95% of the victims of domestic violence are female while 1 in 4 women will be victims of it. In the U.S., domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women and it crosses all groups. Alaska Statute 18.66.9909 (5) for Domestic Violence defines "household member" as:
“a current or former spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, sexual partner, roommate, relative by marriage, family member to the 4th degree of consanguinity, or a minor child of any of the relationships described above.”