7 Important Facts to Know About Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate Partner Violence, also known as domestic violence, has come to take on many definitions. In general, it involves someone exerting power and control over their partner, in a harmful manner.

1. IPV can take many forms                                                                                                                                                                               Besides physical abuse, others forms of IPV include emotional abuse, sexual abuse, intimidation, and isolation. (Class Lecture 2/ 09/16)
2. There are four key phases of IPV                                                                                                                                                                                                    Four common key phases in the cycle of IPV include the honeymoon phase, tension-building phase, explosive phase, and reconciliation. This cycle may repeat a number of times.(Class Lecture 2/ 09/16)
3. Women are more likely to be victims of IPV                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      While 15% of IPV cases are against men, 85% of IPV cases are against women. (Class Lecture 2/ 09/16)
4. Intervention by a social worker can play an important role in helping a victim                                                                                  Intervention by a social worker may include confidential referral to a shelter, interviewing a victim of abuse, or advocating for the victim for example. (Class Lecture 2/ 09/16)
5. Certain barriers exist to IPV assessment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Although IPV is a serious problem that is far too prevalent, certain barriers exist that make combating IPV difficult. These include a lack of appropriate resources, insufficient training in assessing IPV, and a fear of offending the caregiver. (Class Lecture 2/ 09/16)
6. Same gender partners are also at risk for IPV                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The prevalence of IPV in same sex partners is around 30%. (Class Lecture 2/ 09/16)
7. There is a large range of IPV prevalence in health care settings among women                                                                                                 There is a range of 10-50% of IPV prevalence in health care settings among women. (Murphy, 2008)

by David Montes

References

Murphy, S. & Ouimet, L. (2008). Intimate Partner Violence: A Call for Social Work Action. National Association of Social Workers. vol. (33), 309-314

Vassello, J. (2016). SW250 PowerPoint: Week 3 IPV.