Intimate Partner Violence Month
By Liz Holloway, MA, LCMHCA
Alongside a hopeful weather change to crisp autumn air, decorations of orange and black, and preparation for the holiday season, the month of October is used to acknowledge the survivors and honor the lives lost from intimate partner violence. Most commonly known as “domestic violence”, intimate partner violence or IPV is the preferred term for survivors to encapsulate the violence that happens by people who have shared an intimate relationship but are not in a labeled relationship, as some survivors are abused by people they do not identify as partners. Per the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence survey, 41% of women and 26% of men have reported experiencing physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking by a previous or current intimate partner. 61 million women and 53 million men reported they have experienced physical aggression at the hands of an intimate partner at least once in their lifetime. In this country alone, one in five homicide victims are killed by a previous or current intimate partner and over half of female homicide victims are killed by a previous or current intimate partner. Ethnic minorities and those in the LGBTQIA+ community also face higher than average rates of intimate partner violence.
Domestic violence can often look like physical violence involving the use of physical force in an attempt to hurt your partner; sexual violence involving the force, manipulation, or coercion to engage in sexual activities when a partner cannot or will not consent; stalking or an unwanted continued amount of aggressive attention, unwanted contact, or threats towards the target or their loved ones; and psychological aggression involving emotional abuse intended to harm the victim. There are many other forms of domestic violence that can be recognized include financial abuse, religious abuse, lateral abuse, and legal abuse; the commonality of the abuse is one person’s intent to harm someone.
The impacts of intimate partner violence can be mental, physical, financial, and even result in death. Survivors of intimate partner violence often cite symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, that is a mental health diagnosis that can result in nightmares, flashbacks, and other symptoms related to experiencing a traumatic experience. In addition, survivors of IPV have increased risk of engaging in high risk behaviors such as smoking, engaging in substance abuse, and unsafe sex practices; unfortunately, survivors of marginalized groups often see more devastating consequences. Other mental health consequences of intimate partner violence include increased anxiety, depression, distrust, paranoia, and lower self-esteem. Negative physical health impacts of IPV have also been found and can range to include heart problems to chronic issues related to reproductive systems. It has been estimated that the lifetime cost for medical treatment for a woman that is a victim to IPV would be over $103,000,000.
To continue the effort in decreasing the occurrence of intimate partner violence and help those who have survived this trauma, we must continue to discuss and learn about IPV. Helping survivors can include donating to local shelters; creating a safe, judgement-free space for someone to talk to you; and spreading knowledge about what intimate partner violence can look like. If you or a loved one is experiencing intimate partner violence, please contact the free, confidential hotline at 1-800-SAFE (8733) or visit thehotline.org to find resources local to you.
