Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): What is it?

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) refers to multiple forms of harm caused by a current or former intimate partner or spouse. It was previously known as spousal or domestic violence.

IPV impacts people of all genders, ages, socioeconomic status, racial, educational, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. Women experience this form of gender-based violence at much higher rates, and particularly in its most severe forms, however, it is important to note that men also experience this form of violence within their relationships. IPV can happen within marriages, but also in common-law or dating relationships. Did you know that children who are exposed to IPV are actually being exposed to a form of maltreatment?

This form of violence includes any form of power and control within the relationship, criminal harassment, stalking, emotional or psychological abuse, economic or financial abuse, physical abuse, reproductive coercion, sexual violence or abuse, spiritual or religious abuse and cyber violence. Different forms of isolation, gas-lighting, humiliation, being spoken down to, both in private and in public, and being threatened by actions, looks or gestures, all stem from power and control being exerted over an individual and these are all forms of abuse. Exposure to IPV can bring about symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Struggles with mental health are among the top challenges that individuals face when exposed to IPV.

Often times cases of IPV are not reported. This is for a number of different reasons. There is still a lot of stigmas around IPV and many assumptions that get in the way of people being able to both identify that it is happening (either to them or to a friend or family member), as well as then going on to report it. Fear and shame are among the reasons why IPV often goes unreported. Some believe that abuse is a personal or private matter, or that whatever happened isn’t important enough to report. There are fears around the court system and a lack of trust in our criminal justice system. A lack of accessibility to services and culturally appropriate resources all contribute to the statistics around IPV being underreported.

The impacts of IPV are long-lasting. It can lead to complex trauma, it creates an environment of tension and fear, both for survivors as well as for children who witness this, and it can have a significant negative effect on one’s mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.