Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)?
The following information is compiled from the Congressional Digest, Canadian Research and Statistics Division, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unless stated otherwise.
It is crucial to know that intimate partner violence encompasses all forms of abuse or aggression within the context of an intimate relationship. Although the #iSurvived campaign aims to shine a spotlight on the technological aspects of abuse, it still falls under the general definition of intimate partner violence. IPV occur regardless of sexual orientation, race, age, religion, education, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultures, leaving devastating consequences for survivors and their families. Educating ourselves about IPV is crucial in order to recognize the warning signs, intervene effectively, and support survivors.
The Forms of Intimate Partner Violence
1. Physical Abuse: This includes any form of physical harm such as hitting, slapping, kicking, choking, or the use of weapons. It leaves visible marks and scars, but the damage to one's psychological well-being can be equally severe.
2. Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual act or behavior within the relationship falls under this category. It encompasses forced sexual intercourse, unwanted sexual advances, and even coercive control over one's reproductive choices.
3. Emotional/Psychological Abuse: Often overlooked, emotional and psychological abuse can be just as harmful as its physical counterparts. It includes manipulation, humiliation, threats, constant criticism, gaslighting, and isolating the survivor from friends and family.
4. Financial Coercion: This form of abuse involves a controlling partner denying access to finances, restricting employment opportunities, or coercing the survivor into financial dependence. It can leave the survivor feeling trapped and powerless.
5. Digital Abuse: In today's digital age, technology can also be used as a tool for abuse. Digital abuse includes harassment, stalking, monitoring online activities, spreading rumors, or using explicit images without consent.
The Problem of Intimate Partner Violence
The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) reveals that more than 10 million women and men experience physical violence each year at the hands of their current or former intimate partners. About 41% of women and 26% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime. Injury, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, concern for safety, fear, needing help from law enforcement, and missing at least one day of work are common impacts reported. This equates to over 61 million women and 53 million men that have experienced psychological or physical aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
About 75% of female IPV survivors and 48% of male IPV survivors experience some form of injury related to IPV. IPV can also result in death. Data from U.S. crime reports suggest that about 1 in 5 homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner. The reports also found that over half of female homicide victims in the United States are killed by a current or former male intimate partner.
Beyond physical harm, IPV yields a plethora of negative health consequences. These encompass various conditions affecting the heart, muscles, bones, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems, many of which are chronic in nature. Survivors also grapple with mental health issues such as depression and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, they face an elevated risk of engaging in detrimental behaviors like smoking, excessive drinking, and risky sexual activities. Vulnerable populations, including those from racial and ethnic minority groups, confront even graver consequences.
What can we do to stop IPV?
The prevention of IPV is a collective responsibility that requires a coordinated effort across all sectors of society to create a culture of respect, equality, and non-violence in intimate relationships.
Multiple strategies can be used in combination to stop intimate partner violence and teen dating violence before it starts:
Promote education of safe and healthy relationship skills: Provide social-emotional learning programs for youths and healthy relationship programs for couples
Challenge gender stereotypes: Engage men and boys in the prevention of IPV. Men can play a crucial role in challenging toxic masculinity and promoting healthy relationships
Create protective environments: Improve school/community climate and safety can promote positive cultural shifts and empower victims to speak up
Disrupt the developmental pathways toward violence: Implement early intervention programs that identify and support at-risk individuals or families. This can include counseling and support services, parenting skill and family relationship programs, and treatment for at-risk children.
Strengthen economic supports for individuals and family: Financial security is a major consideration which prevents individuals from causing disruptions in their living arrangements. providing economic support can strengthen household financial security and reduce dependence as a factor of control