Intimate partner violence (IPV), sometimes referred to as “domestic violence,” is a significant and pervasive issue in which a current or former intimate partner uses physical, sexual, verbal, or psychological assault or stalking. Although most people link IPV to physical harm, there are many other ways that IPV can manifest. For instance, mental violence is a less-discussed form of IPV that leaves no outward scar, as contrast to the bruise or black eye that might characterize physical abuse.
This type of abuse, which may be just as damaging to a person’s sense of self-worth as physical assault, includes humiliation, insults, and criticism. Similar to physical violence, psychological violence involves intimidating, threatening, and instilling fear in one’s partner. This type of IPV is also less obvious.
Contrary to what most people believe, sexual violence, another type of IPV, occurs frequently in partnerships. From unwanted touching and sexual harassment to sexual assault and rape, sexual violence can take many different forms. Another form of sexual assault that many people might not connect with IPV is reproductive coercion. When one partner tries to dictate the other’s reproductive decisions, such as by forbidding the use of birth control, this is known as coercion.
Financial violence is an additional, less well-known type of IPV. This kind manifests as financial control. A person could try to exert financial, educational, or employment control on their partner. By doing this, the person runs the risk of making their partner totally dependent on them. Thus, recognizing IPV’s several faces is crucial because it is not always obvious.
However, IPV is inclusive to all. Regardless of gender, class, social level, religion, ethnicity, race, or cultural groupings, it can happen to anyone and in any situation. Any relationship, whether it be a straight or same-sex one, dating, married, or cohabiting, might experience IPV.
Women bear the majority of the burden of IPV globally, and male intimate partners or ex-partners are the most frequent offenders of violence against women. Women who experience IPV, however, frequently do not perceive themselves as being mistreated.
Below are 10 signs of Intimate Partner Violence that everyone should look out for:
Isolation
A common tactic used by abusers is to gradually isolate their victims from friends and family in order to gain control. Although, this control typically paves the way for more serious abuse. This also include asking permission before making arrangements or being cautious around an abusive partner’s feelings or behaviors, which are early warning indicators.
Financial Exploitation
Controlling access to shared resources, encouraging reliance, and making it more difficult for the victim to leave are all examples of financial abuse by a partner. Financially exploited individuals could be forced to beg their partners for allowances or give up their earnings against their will. Some victims are even made to give up their employment or leave their studies.
Unaccounted-for Injuries
Physical abuse victims may display symptoms of harm, such as bruises, scratches, scrapes, or even broken bones, but they may attempt to explain them away or attribute them to their own carelessness. Nurses should search for injuries to the head, neck, wrists, buttocks, abdomen, and genitalia if they have reason to believe that IPV is taking place. Additionally, victims may have many healing wounds, strange burns, burn patterns like those from domestic items, or defensive wounds on the wrists, palms, or bottoms of the feet.
Depression, anxiety, or PTSD
Many IPV victims experience anxiety or depression when faced with a situation that seems hopeless. In actuality, one of IPV’s most frequent side effects is mental illness. In addition, there is a cyclical link between mental illness and IPV: those with mental illnesses, particularly women, are more likely to experience abuse than those who do not.Low Self-esteem Most abusive relationships involve gaslighting, which is when someone is persuaded to doubt their perception of events. The subsequent ambiguity can undermine a victim’s self-confidence and strip them of their ability to make decisions. IPV victims may believe that they are not deserving of a better relationship or that they cannot function without their batterer.
Self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or attempted suicide
IPV victims may consider (or actually attempt) suicide or self-harm as a final option. Asking a patient or client about IPV is crucial if they have previously attempted suicide or self-harmed. Similarly, social professionals and nurses should pay close attention to the likelihood of suicidal ideation if domestic violence has been discovered.
Physical Abuse
When an IPV Partner threatens to hit you, or even hits, and then comes back to apologize for what he or she did. Also if an IPV Partner locks you in or out of the house, putting you in isolation, then you might need to pay attention to such.
Hypersensitivity
This is when an IPV Partner is easily offended and, when truly enraged, claims to have been harmed.
Use of force during sex
An IPV partner enjoys holding you down during sex or throwing you to the ground. He or she also loves to always be in control during sex.
Verbal abuse.
An IPV partner is persistent with criticizing or saying overtly cruel, hurtful things, as well as calling you foul names and using derogatory language.
Conclusion
The first step in putting an end to IPV is recognizing and accepting its symptoms. There are numerous ways to obtain safety and assistance when confronted with IPV, which is never the victim’s fault.