Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a worldwide public health issue that adversely affects millions of Americans. The phenomenon of ‘intimate partner violence’ (IPV) refers to physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Nearly, 29% of women and 10% of men have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/ or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Specifically, more than 43 million women and 38 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). The number of IPV occurrences are preventable yet arises from a complex array of factors that are varied but depend on a person’s individual factors, relationship factors, community factors, and societal factors. This is a concern as those who are victimized by IPV are more susceptible to devastating consequences to their health and well-being. The relationship between IPV and negative health outcomes are nonetheless extended to all demographic groups (across race/ ethnicity, gender, heterosexual and same-sex couples), which is oftentimes called domestic violence. IPV and domestic violence oftentimes are used interchangeably, yet conversely, domestic violence is the act of physical, sexual, emotional abuse, or sexual coercion by an intimate partner.

Causes and Risk Factors of Intimate Partner Violence

There are contributing factors that may indirectly or directly place an induvial at an increased risk of an IPV experience. A combination of individual, relationship, community, and societal factors are listed below:

 Individual Factors           

• Low-self-esteem
• Young age
• Low academic achievement/ stress
• Low level of education
• Alcohol/ Substance abuse
• Personality disorders
• Exposure of violence between parents
• Witnessed or experienced violence (e.g., physical and sexual abuse) as a child

 Relationship Factors

• Cohabitating relationship
• Conflict or dissatisfaction in the relationship
• Having multiple partners
• Partner insecurities
• history of an abusive partner

Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence 

Health effects that have been frequently linked to IPV may include but are not limited to:

 “Physical, mental, sexual, and women’s reproductive health such as adolescent pregnancy, unintended pregnancy in general, miscarriage, stillbirth, and other intrauterine hemorrhages, nutritional deficiency, abdominal pain, and other gastrointestinal problems, neurological disorders, chronic pain, disability, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Victims of domestic violence are also at a higher risk for developing addictions to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs” (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2020).

 Community and Societal Factors

• Gender inequalities & social norms
• Low social and economic statuses
• Poverty
• Weak community sanctions against IPV

Resources and Services

There is currently an unlimited supply of services and resources for victims and survivors of IPV but please note that Student Victim Assistance here to offer support to Georgia State Students who may need our services. If you need to speak with someone, please contact Student Victim Assistance at 404-413-1965 or you may also contact the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-299-7233, National Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), and National Center for Victims of Crime 1-202-467-8700

References

 Intimate Partner Violence |Violence Prevention Injury Center CDC. (2020). Retrieved 28 May 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html

Domestic or intimate partner violence. (2020). Retrieved 28 May 2020, from https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/domestic-violence

 NCADV | National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (2020). Retrieved 28 May 2020, from https://ncadv.org/resources