Who is affected by the abuse? In most cases it is the spouse or partner in the relationship. They are the ones in most contact with the abuser going through multiple issues in his or her life. Sometimes it can be a child seeing the abuse on his or her mother or father or even on themselves. It can even be a coworker who may be trying to help but makes matters worse in the abuser’s mind. There really is no limit to who may be affected by an abuser.