Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans . The term "intimate partner violence" describes physical aggression, sexual coercion, and psychological harm to gain or maintain control by a current or former partner or spouse. It affects all cultures, religions, socioeconomic statuses and ethnic backgrounds; it can take place in a public or private setting.
Women are the most targeted victims of Intimate partner violence; one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime . But this type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples, and does not require sexual intimacy. Intimate partner violence is also identified as domestic violence or battering .
a.**TYPES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE**
Types of violence may include physical abuse such as: hitting, punching, slapping, kicking, choking, biting, burning, using objects or weapons, locking up or confining, depriving of food or income and restricting mobility or access to necessities. Sexual violence acts may include forcing a partner to perform sexual acts, forcing partner into prostitution or interfering with birth control. Criticizing, name calling, decision making and playing mind games are some signs of the many forms of emotional abuse. Financial abuse can be putting partner in debt or not allowing them access to money. Threatening the victim with objects or verbally threatening to hurt them or take something away is also a form of abuse. There are several ways that an abuser can manipulate a victim to gain control and maintain it.
b. **DEMOGRAPHICS**
Ethnicity also plays a large part in domestic violence, the United States alone is an extremely diverse country therefore it may be...
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...as been made with the implementation of intervention for those whom are already IPV victims as well as prevention and educational services spreading across the region to educate women on the red flags of becoming victims.
Works Cited
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/definitions.html
Saltzman LE, Fanslow JL, McMahon PM, Shelley GA. Intimate partner violence surveillance: uniform definitions and recommended data elements, version 1.0 http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/definitions.html http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/definitions.html
Tjaden, Patricia & Thoennes, Nancy. National Institute of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, “Extent, Nature and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from the National
Violence Against Women Survey,” (2000)
“Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is defined as a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as economic coercion that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partners” (Peeks-Asa). When it comes to domestic violence, many people don’t want to get involved, but if just one person took a stand, maybe others would follow and potentially save a life, like the neighbors did in The Day It Happened by Rosario Morales. Domestic violence can happen to anyone at any time, there is no typical victim or perpetrator. The fact that there is no one specific group that domestic violence occurs in more than one, only makes it more difficult to get an accurate representation of just who is being affected by this crime. “Domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate” (Smith and Segal).
In thinking about helping someone develop a safety plan in case they find themselves in an intimate partner violence or IPV situation, I turned to a woman I know that is soon to be married. The couple has had some quarrels that verge on verbal abuse off and on for the past year. Although none have resulted in physical violence, learning about intimate partner violence allows me to see aspects of relationships in a different light than I have seen them before. The potential victim with whom I have chosen to facilitate the safety plan does not consider her relationship to be abusive, nor do I. However, the victim, Crissy, could use a plan of action if the verbally abusive fights begin to take a physical nature. This reflection will include the summary of developing the safety plan, the issues the plan brought up, and the emotional reflection of both the victim and myself. It is important to note that all names have been changed for the sake of confidentiality.
Significant studies have been done since the 1980’s, studies that include: how domestic violence impacts the family unit as a whole, treatment methods for the victims, family members, and offenders, as well as policing techniques.
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, (2006) “Intimate Partner Violence in the United States,” December 2006.
The Center of Disease Control highlights the corresponding injuries and violence prevention topics through the division of intimate partner violence into four main types, which are physical, sexual, threats of physical or sexual, and psychological or emotional. Physical violence includes the purposeful use of physical force such as shoving, choking, shaking, slapping, punching, burning that results in physical harm, disability, or even death (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Sexual violence is forcing a partner to take part in a sex act when the partner does not consent. Threats of physical and sexual harm communicate the intent to cause death, disability, injury, or physical harm through the use of words, gestures, or weapons. “Psychological or emotional violence traumatizes the victim by acts, threats of acts, or coercive tactics” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). This method can be induced thr...
The United States Department of Justice reports that women are more likely to be victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence. (Catalano, 2006) It is estimated that two million women a year are victims of physical abuse each year, and that number does not include any other form of intimate partner violence. (Connelly, et al. 2006) Intimate partner violence results in fatalities in thirty percent of all female homicides. (Catalano, 2006) For males, the percentage goes down to five percent. Men and woman ages twenty to thirty-four are at the highest risk for intimate partner violence. Again, both men and women who are married but separated are at higher risk for intimate partner violence. Black and white females are more likely to be victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence. However, white females are more likely to be victims of fatal intimate partner violence. Individuals with a lower income and socioeconomic status are at a greater risk, but females are at a greater risk regardless of income.
Gadd, David, Stephen Farrall, Damian Dallimore, and Nancy Lombard. "Male Victims of Domestic Violence."1-3. 2001. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of ethnicity, race, income, class, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Domestic violence occurs in same-sex relationships, and men can be victims as well.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is historically referred to as domestic violence. It describes a pattern of coercive and assaultive behavior that may include psychological abuse, progressive isolation, sexual assault, physical injury, stalking, intimidation, deprivation, and reproductive coercion among partners (The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), 1999). IPV leads to lifelong consequences such as lasting physical impairment, emotional trauma, chronic health problems, and even death. It is an issue affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Eighty-five percent of domestic violence victims are women (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003).
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), can be described as “"domestic violence," "intimate partner violence" describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former intimate partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples (National Institute of Justice, 2007). IPV has both male/female perpetrators and male/female victims. According to the National Institute of Justice (2007), “women are more likely to be victims of stalking and other victimizations than men” There are certain characteristics that allow women to become victims of victimization; early parenthood, severe poverty, and having an alcoholic partner. Black and Hispanic women who are young and live in the city carry a big chance of being victimized, as well as those women who lack an education and live in poverty. On the other hand Meadows (2010) also explains the characteristics of the male batterers. He explains that males become violent against their partner because of insecurity, fear of losing control, jealousy but especially their sole instinct of being in control (p.70).
“Domestic violence is a violent confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm” (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). In most places domestic violence is looked on as one of the higher priorities when trying to stop crime. Domestic Violence cases are thought to be influenced by the use of alcohol, drugs, stress or anger but in reality, they are just learned behaviors by the batterer. These habits can be stopped as long as one seeks help (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). For instance, a child is brought up in a household that is constantly involved in criminal acts. As this child grows up, the criminal lifestyle will be synonymous with his/her behavior. With that being said, it is also a given fact that if a household and its members are surrounded with violence, the relationships between one another will be strained. Eventually this will end up in a divorce or even worse, death, depending on how far the violence goes. If there is violence in a family, then the ones who are affected by it may feel like they deserve it because of what the batterer is accusing them of doing. Battering occurs among people of all races, ages, socio-economic classes, religious affiliations, occupations, and educational backgrounds (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). Domestic violence can affect families in more aspects than one; the husband-wife relationship, the children, and also the financial stability.
Thesis: In my paper, I will be examining the different types, possible causes, and effects of Intimate Partner Violence, and what treatments or programs are available to combat this growing problem in America. Regardless of differing approaches to fight it, statistics show that women all across the world suffer from the effects of domestic violence at a similar rate independent of class, race, or religion.
Attention Getter: According to The National Coalition of Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women are victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. A woman is assaulted or beaten every 9 seconds in the US.
Mercy, J.A. & Saltzman, L.E. "Fatal violence among spouses in the United States, 1976-85" American Journal of Public Health 79(5): 595-9 May 1989
McHugh, M. C., & Frieze, I. H. (2006). Intimate partner violence. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1087, 121–141. doi: 10.1196/annals.1385.011