Intimate Partner Domestic Violence

William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital

Domestic Violence Awareness Flow chart showing the Domestic Violence Cycle: Tension Builds, Triggering Event, Abuse, Remorse/Forgiveness Domestic Violence, also known as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), occurs between two people in a close relationship. It can be a current or former partner that uses behaviors or threats that make you feel scared, controlled or intimidated. This can be a single episode or ongoing battering. Victims can suffer physical injuries such as cuts, scratches and bruises. Emotional and sexual harm are also forms of abuse that can lead to trauma symptoms such as panic attacks, trouble sleeping and even flashbacks. Any attempt to control behavior and/or emotions of an intimate partner that prevents their free choice is domestic violence. Intimate partner violence can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, education level, amount of money one has. It can happen to people of all racial, ethnic and cultural groups and any religion and sexual orientation. 22-31% of women in the Unites States report having experienced IPV in their lifetimes. Women Veterans are more likely than non-veterans to experience IPV. Among women veterans, 39% report having experienced IPV at some point in their lives. IPV can also lead to relationship problems, low self-esteem, eating disorders and depression. People who have experienced IPV can have a hard time talking about it. They may feel embarrassed and ashamed. Remember, victims are not the cause of the abuse. Nothing one says or does can excuse the abuse. For more information and help: National toll-free 24-hour Domestic Violence hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7223) http://www.ndvh.org* National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 http://www.rainn.org* Domestic Abuse Crisis Line (DAIS): (608)-251-4445 http://www.abuseintervention.org/ By Meghan Snitkin and Courtney Steinhafel, Women Veterans Health Program