What is Intimate Partner Violence?
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is often called domestic violence. IPV is the use of behaviour (e.g., acts of violence, threats, or intimidation) to gain control and power over an intimate partner. An intimate partner is a current or former spouse, dating or sexual partner.
Women are most often victims of IPV, with men being the abuser. However, victims and abusers do not fit into a mold. They can be any age, gender, or sexual orientation and have any educational background or income. IPV does not look the same in every relationship.
IPV can take many forms:
- Physical violence (e.g., hitting, choking or kicking)
- Sexual violence (e.g., forcing sexual acts)
- Emotional abuse (e.g., insulting, humiliating, threating to take away children, threating harm or using guilt as a tool)
- Financial abuse (e.g., taking away money, not allowing partner to have a job)
- Controlling behaviours (e.g., stalking, spying, not allowing partner to see family or friends or treating partner like a servant)
Abuse tends to happen more often and becomes more severe with time, especially when physical violence is involved. IPV can be deadly and anybody close to the family may be at risk of harm.