ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses different categories and types of abuse. Sexual assault of an adult is any kind of intentional sexual touching of somebody else without their consent, including any part of their body, clothed or unclothed, either with the body or an object. Forced marriage can be driven by family efforts to control unwanted behaviour and sexuality, including perceived promiscuity or coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Forced marriage often results in repeated sexual abuse of the person who did not want to marry, or vulnerable people, such as those with disability. The chapter explores the relationship between sexual violence and depression through a number of aspects. It includes chronic psychological abuse or grooming so that over time the victim comes to believe what the abuser tells them; sadness consequent on the experiences of abuse; and the impact of violence and abuse on guilt, shame or self-blame.
