Intimate partner violence (IPV) can occur in any setting regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, race, or cultural group. Intimate partner violence is more common than most think. The WHO multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence against women collected data on IPV prevalence from more than 24,000 women in 10 counties. The study showed that IPV is not isolated to geographic areas and social status. Regardless of the county, IPV is prevalent. While the abuse might be visible in many instances is subtle. However, there are warning signs that may indicate someone is in an IPV relationship.
Signs to Watch Out For
- The perpetrator uses physical aggression. The perpetrator often slaps, hits, shoves or pushes their partner.
- The perpetrator’s behavior may be unpredictable. The perpetrator’s moods tend to change rapidly and radically.
- The perpetrator is often jealous, suspicious, and/or angry. The anger can be a result of many factors. In many instances, the perpetrator learns that specific behavior gives them the desired outcome they are seeking.
- The perpetrator controls their partner’s time. The perpetrator monitors and controls their partner’s activities, including whether they go to work or school and how much they see their family and friends.
- The perpetrator controls their partner’s money. They make critical financial decisions with shared funds by themselves or take their partner’s money without permission.
- The perpetrator uses verbal threats. They are not afraid to name-call, swear, and yell at their partner.
- The perpetrator isolates their partner. They may limit their partner’s use of the phone or other sources of communication or may force their partner to stay at home.
- The perpetrator minimizes their partner’s feelings. They may also make their partner feel guilty or ashamed.
- The victim is often blamed for problems. They often try to blame their partner or others for their problems.
- The perpetrator threatens – a lot. They may threaten to hurt themselves, their partner, or other family members if their partner tries to leave.
- The perpetrator uses sexual violence to control their partner. The behavior can include coercion, harassment, sexual assault, or rape.
If you or someone you know is experiencing IPV, you are not alone. There are resources available to help.
If you or someone you know is in danger, call 911 immediately.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 or use the secure online chat in English or Spanish here. This hotline offers support from well-trained, caring advocates to help victims and survivors of domestic violence to find support and assistance.
- ACF’s Family Violence Prevention and Services Program – The Family Violence Prevention and Services Program administers the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), the primary federal funding stream dedicated to the support of emergency shelter and related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Adapted from: US Department of Health and Human Services
