Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSignsCausesImpact

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types

Signs

Causes

Impact

Intimate partner violence involves abusive oraggressive behaviorthat is meant to frighten, hurt, manipulate, or control someone.It may involve a series of episodes over several years or a single episode that can have a lasting impact.It is considered to be a major global public health issue.In fact, it is estimated that in the United States, it is the most common but least reported crime.

“People who experience abuse from their partners often have a difficult time recognizing abuse due to normalizing or minimizing harmful behaviors because of the complexity of abuse dynamics,” says Yolanda Renteria, LPC.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men in the United States have experienced some form of intimate partner violence during their lifetime.

This article explores the types, signs, causes, and impact of intimate partner violence.

If you or a loved one are a victim of intimate partner violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.If you are in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are a victim of intimate partner violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.

If you are in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Types of Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence can take many differentforms, which can include:

13 Red Flags in Relationships

Signs of Intimate Partner Violence

These are some of theindicationsthat someone is a victim of intimate partner violence:

Abuse By Proxy

Causes of Intimate Partner Violence

These are some of the factors that can lead to intimate partner violence, according to a 2018 study:

9 Reasons the Cycle of Abuse Continues

Impact of Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence can cause physical and psychological damage that persists long after the abuse ends.

These are some of the effects of intimate partner violence:

“People involved in partner violence are often stuck in a cycle that goes from stages of tension, explosive episodes, and honeymoon periods. This dynamic often confuses victims since they experience times when change seems possible. Over time, each stage of the cycle becomes shorter,” says Renteria.

How Witnessing Domestic Violence Affects Children

Conclusion

Intimate partner violence is a major issue not just in the United States but around the world. It can be traumatic to experience and cause long-lasting physical andpsychological damage—or even lead to death.

It’s important to identify intimate partner violence and take steps to prevent it because the victims are our family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.While we may stereotype victims of intimate partner violence, it’s important to remember that anyone can be a victim, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, race, faith, or class.

10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing intimate partner violence.United Nations.What is domestic abuse?Li S, Zhao F, Yu G.Childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence victimization: A meta-analysis.Child Abuse Negl. 2019;88:212-224. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.012City Government of Annapolis, Maryland.Myths about domestic violence.Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.Types and signs of abuse.Patra P, Prakash J, Patra B, Khanna P.Intimate partner violence: Wounds are deeper.Indian J Psychiatry. 2018;60(4):494-498. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_74_17Greene CA, Haisley L, Wallace C, Ford JD.Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence.Clin Psychol Rev. 2020;80:101891. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101891Nemours Foundation.Abuse.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Emotional and verbal abuse. Updated February 15, 2021.Department of Human Services.Domestic violence crisis and prevention.

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing intimate partner violence.United Nations.What is domestic abuse?Li S, Zhao F, Yu G.Childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence victimization: A meta-analysis.Child Abuse Negl. 2019;88:212-224. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.012City Government of Annapolis, Maryland.Myths about domestic violence.Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.Types and signs of abuse.Patra P, Prakash J, Patra B, Khanna P.Intimate partner violence: Wounds are deeper.Indian J Psychiatry. 2018;60(4):494-498. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_74_17Greene CA, Haisley L, Wallace C, Ford JD.Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence.Clin Psychol Rev. 2020;80:101891. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101891Nemours Foundation.Abuse.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Emotional and verbal abuse. Updated February 15, 2021.Department of Human Services.Domestic violence crisis and prevention.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing intimate partner violence.United Nations.What is domestic abuse?Li S, Zhao F, Yu G.Childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence victimization: A meta-analysis.Child Abuse Negl. 2019;88:212-224. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.012City Government of Annapolis, Maryland.Myths about domestic violence.Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.Types and signs of abuse.Patra P, Prakash J, Patra B, Khanna P.Intimate partner violence: Wounds are deeper.Indian J Psychiatry. 2018;60(4):494-498. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_74_17Greene CA, Haisley L, Wallace C, Ford JD.Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence.Clin Psychol Rev. 2020;80:101891. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101891Nemours Foundation.Abuse.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Emotional and verbal abuse. Updated February 15, 2021.Department of Human Services.Domestic violence crisis and prevention.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing intimate partner violence.

United Nations.What is domestic abuse?

Li S, Zhao F, Yu G.Childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence victimization: A meta-analysis.Child Abuse Negl. 2019;88:212-224. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.012

City Government of Annapolis, Maryland.Myths about domestic violence.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.Types and signs of abuse.

Patra P, Prakash J, Patra B, Khanna P.Intimate partner violence: Wounds are deeper.Indian J Psychiatry. 2018;60(4):494-498. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_74_17

Greene CA, Haisley L, Wallace C, Ford JD.Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence.Clin Psychol Rev. 2020;80:101891. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101891

Nemours Foundation.Abuse.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Emotional and verbal abuse. Updated February 15, 2021.

Department of Human Services.Domestic violence crisis and prevention.

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