There are generally ten recognized categories of abuse according to adult safeguarding guidance, which include:

• Physical abuse
• Domestic violence or abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Psychological or emotional abuse
• Financial or material abuse
• Modern slavery
• Discriminatory abuse
• Organisational or institutional abuse
• Neglect or acts of omission
• Self-neglect

These categories cover a wide range of harmful behaviors, from physical violence and sexual assault to financial exploitation, emotional harm, neglect, and abuse related to discrimination or institutional settings

. In child protection contexts, abuse is often categorized into four types: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse

. Some sources also highlight additional forms like technological abuse (use of technology to control or stalk) and sexual exploitation, especially in intimate partner violence contexts

. Overall, the most comprehensive framework identifies ten distinct categories of abuse primarily used in adult safeguarding frameworks