Intimate Partner Violence - A Growing Epidemic
What can you do in one minute? You can likely microwave something, take a few breaths, send a couple of text messages, or read a few pages in a book if you’re like me. In that minute, an average of 32 individuals experienced intimate partner violence. This is a wild statistic; life can change immeasurably in just one minute.
October is Intimate Partner Violence Awareness month, which leaves space to honor those who have lost their fight with intimate partner violence, those still fighting it, and those fighting alongside victims. Intimate partner violence is defined by the World Health Organization as:
“Behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and controlling behaviors. This definition covers violence by both current and former spouses and partners(2022).”
On average 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men aged 18 and older have been a victim of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Additionally, 1 in 10 high school students report having experienced physical violence from a dating partner in the last year. The epidemic of violence in our world and our relationships is startling and unsettling, but we are not without hope. We can enter into the narratives of victims and help them find their feet as survivors.
SIGNS OF ABUSE
One barrier to understanding intimate partner violence is a lack of information and understanding. 58% of young adults indicate that they do not know how to help someone experiencing intimate partner violence and 57% would say it is difficult to identify the signs of abuse. Knowledge is power in the battle against intimate partner violence, so here are some signs that may indicate a loved one or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence:
Isolation from relationships, especially close friends and family members
Intimidation (destroying property or brandishing weapons)
Minimizing, Denying, and Blaming the victim
Utilizing threats (could be against self or victim)
Sexual Coercion
Exclusion and Control
Using Physical Force (punching, kicking, blocking entrances)
Using Verbal Abuse (name calling, humiliation, gaslighting)
Using Technology (pressuring on socials, cyberbullying, etc.)
Financial Abuse (withholding or controlling access to financial means)
If you find yourself in a position to help someone trapped in intimate partner violence, please remember that the control is often deeper than you can see. On average, research has found it takes someone 7 times to successfully leave an abusive relationship. Be patient with victims and create safe spaces that they can come to when they are ready to take that step. If a victim confides in you it is important to address their physical safety and record the incident. Another step that you can take to learn more about intimate partner violence is partnering with local agencies to understand the work that they are doing with the victims they serve in your community.
TO THE VICTIMS
If you find yourself in an intimate partner violence situation, please know that you are not alone. You can find yourself again and there is hope on the other side. If you are in a position where you cannot safely leave your situation, you must take steps to document incidents to the best of your ability whether through journaling, photos, or police reports, all documentation strengthens your case when you can leave. Documentation also serves as a reminder for you of what is real. When you’re ready to leave, there are resources available to help you do that that can be found at the bottom of this blog. We are here for you and we have hope for you.
RESOURCES and CITING
https://safeplace.msu.edu/info-resources/relationship-violence/power-control-wheel
https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/
https://www.thehotline.org/resources/documenting-abuse/
https://www.breakthecycle.org/domestic-violence-statistics/
https://apps.who.int/violence-info/intimate-partner-violence/
