Intimate partner violence

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It refers to any behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm to those in the relationship.

Definition

Intimate Partner Violence is defined by the World Health Organization as any behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm to those in the relationship. This includes acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and controlling behaviors.

Types of Intimate Partner Violence

There are four main types of IPV: physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression.

• Physical violence involves a person hurting or trying to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or using another type of physical force.
• Sexual violence refers to an act of sexual nature committed against someone without that person’s freely given consent.
• Stalking involves a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact that causes fear or concern for one’s own safety or the safety of someone else.
• Psychological aggression is the use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to harm another person mentally or emotionally, and/or to exert control over another person.

Prevalence

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.

Effects

The effects of IPV can vary greatly from person to person. However, common effects include PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior.

Prevention

Prevention efforts often focus on reducing the individual and societal factors that contribute to the risk of IPV. This includes promoting healthy relationship behaviors and creating protective environments.

See also

• Domestic violence
• Child abuse
• Elder abuse
• Violence against women

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  Intimate partner violence
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  Women who experienced violence by an intimate partner
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  Center for Disease Control sexual violence infographic