This webpage, focused on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), is geared towards health, behavioral health and integrated care leadership, providers, and patients/consumers. The information and resources listed here can be easily adapted to other groups and settings.
It is vital for all staff employed by health, behavioral health, and integrated care organizations to understand the nature and impact of trauma and how to use principles and practices that can promote recovery and healing: Trauma-Informed Approaches. In addition to information and resources on IPV, this page provides links to resources on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Approaches, as well as Suicide Prevention, that we encourage you to explore.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IPV is a serious, preventable public health problem. The CDC defines Intimate Partner Violence (also described as domestic violence [DV]) as "physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy."
The CDC reports that IPV is highly prevalent and preventable. IPV affects millions of people in the U.S. each year. Data from the 2010-2012 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) indicate that nearly one in four adult women (23 percent) and approximately one in nine men (11 percent) in the U.S. report having experienced severe physical violence (e.g., being kicked, beaten, choked, or burned on purpose; having a weapon used against them; etc.) from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Additionally, one in three women and one in six men have experienced contact sexual violence (this includes rape, being made to penetrate someone else, sexual coercion, and/or unwanted sexual contact) from an intimate partner. One in six women and one in 19 men in the U.S. report having been stalked by an intimate partner, and nearly half of all women (47 percent) and men (47 percent) have experienced psychological aggression, such as humiliating or controlling behaviors.
Having experienced other forms of trauma or violence, such as child sexual or physical abuse or exposure to parental or caregiver IPV, is an important risk factor for perpetrating and experiencing IPV. IPV is also linked to increased risk for suicide in both boys and girls who experience teen dating violence (TDV) and for women exposed to partner violence. These women are nearly five times more likely to attempt suicide as women not exposed to partner violence. IPV is also a precipitating factor for suicide among men. (Reference: NISVS)
Health consequences are significant and important for behavioral, health, and integrated care providers to be aware of. Approximately 41 percent of female IPV survivors and 14 percent of male IPV survivors experience some form of physical injury that may also result in death. Data from U.S. crime reports suggest about one in six murder victims and more than 40 percent of female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by an intimate partner. (Reference: NISVS)