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Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) – also known as domestic violence, partner or spouse abuse, or battering – can occur among heterosexual and same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.

According to Saltzman et al. (2002), there are four central types of IPV:

Physical violence involves the intentional use of psychical force with the potential for causing harm, injury, disability, or death. Physical violence includes, but is not limited to:

scratching
pushing
shoving
throwing
grabbing
biting
choking
shaking
slapping
punching
burning
use of a weapon
use of restraints or one's body, size, or strength against another person

Sexual violence is divided into three categories:

use of physical force to compel a person to engage in a sexual act against her or his will, whether or not the act is completed;
attempted or completed sex act involving a person who is unable to understand the nature or condition of the act, to decline participation, or to communicate unwillingness to engage in the sexual act (e.g. because of illness, disability, or the influence of alcohol or other drugs), or due to intimidation or pressure;
abusive sexual contact

Threats of physical or sexual violence involves the use of words, gestures, or weapons to communicate the intent to cause physical harm, injury, disability, or death.

Psychological/emotional abuse involves trauma to the victim caused by acts, threats of acts, or coercive acts. Psychological/emotional abuse includes, but is not limited to:

humiliating the victim
controlling what the victim can and cannot do
withholding information from the victim
deliberately doing something to make the victim feel diminished or embarrassed
isolating the victim from friends and family
denying the victim access to money or other basic resources

In addition, stalking is often included among the types of IPV.

If you, or someone you know, has experienced intimate partner violence please check out our Survivor Help section for information on options and support.

References:

Intimate Partner Violence Prevention, Overview - NCIPC
Saltzman LE, Fanslow JL, McMahon PM, Shelley GA. Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements version 1.0. Atlanta (GA): National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Center for Disease Control and Prevention; 2002.

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