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Genogram Abuse Relationship Symbol
The abuse relationship symbol is shown as an indigo jagged line between two people, with a directional arrow identifying the direction of harm. Use it when a genogram needs to document an abusive dynamic clearly, then add notes or a safer case record for details the line cannot carry.
Abuse Symbol Example in a Genogram
Abuse Symbol Example in a Genogram
Denise Colton experienced ongoing abuse from her former partner, Ray Colton. The line runs from Ray to Denise, with the arrow pointing toward her, showing the direction the harm ran.
Abuse vs. Hostile vs. Conflict
- Conflict: double dotted red lines. Ongoing tension, both people are still engaging.
- Hostile: red jagged line. Open antagonism or dislike.
- Abuse: indigo jagged line, directional. Harm being caused by one person toward another.
Keeping abuse as its own symbol matters. Marking it as hostile or conflict instead reads as mutual friction, when the dynamic is actually one person causing harm to another.
Specific Abuse Types
EasyGenogram also includes more specific line types when general Abuse isn't precise enough, including:
- Physical Abuse
- Emotional Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Neglect
- Violence
- Controlling, and
- Manipulative.
Each follows the same directional logic, from the person causing harm to the person experiencing it.
How to Add It in EasyGenogram
Select the relationship line between the two people and choose Abuse from the emotional line set.
Click the person causing harm first, then the person experiencing it, so the arrow points the correct direction.
Abuse Symbol Example in a Genogram
Explore this genogram and adapt it to your needs.
FAQ
What does the abuse symbol look like on a genogram?
An indigo jagged line between two people, with a directional arrow pointing from the person causing harm toward the person experiencing it.
How do you show who caused the harm and who experienced it?
The line is directional. Click the person causing harm first, then the person experiencing it, so the arrow points from the first to the second.
What's the difference between abuse and hostile symbols on a genogram?
Hostile marks open antagonism or dislike directed at another person, whether it's mutual or one-sided. Abuse marks harm being caused by one person toward another, a distinct and more serious category kept separate for clarity.
Are there specific abuse symbols in EasyGenogram?
Yes. Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Neglect, Violence, Controlling, and Manipulative are all available as their own line types, for cases where more precise symbols than general Abuse is needed.
Can abuse be shown as mutual?
Yes, but since the line is directional, showing abuse running both ways means adding the line twice, once for each direction.