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Types of Abuse
There are four main types
of intimate partner violence
(Saltzman et al. 2002):
Physical violence
is the
intentional use of physical force with the potential for causing death,
disability, injury, or harm. Physical violence includes, but is not limited
to, scratching; pushing; shoving; throwing; grabbing; biting; choking;
shaking; slapping; punching; burning; use of a weapon; and use of restraints
or one’s body, size, or strength against another person.
Sexual violence
is divided
into three categories:
1) Use of physical force
to compel a person to engage in a sexual act against his or her will,
whether or not the act is completed;
2) attempted or completed
sex act involving a person who is unable to understand the nature or
condition of the act, to decline participation, or to communicate
unwillingness to engage in the sexual act, e.g., because of illness,
disability, or the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or because of
intimidation or pressure; and
3) abusive sexual
contact.
Learn more about sexual violence.
Threats of physical or
sexual violence
use words, gestures, or
weapons to communicate the intent to cause death, disability, injury, or
physical harm.
Psychological/emotional
violence
involves trauma to the victim caused by acts, threats of acts, or coercive
tactics. Psychological/emotional abuse can include, but is not limited to,
humiliating the victim, controlling what the victim can and cannot do,
withholding information from the victim, deliberately doing something to
make the victim feel diminished or embarrassed, isolating the victim from
friends and family, and denying the victim access to money or other basic
resources. It is considered psychological/emotional violence when there has
been prior physical or sexual violence or prior threat of physical or sexual
violence.
In addition, stalking
is often included among the types of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).
Stalking generally refers to repeated behavior that causes victims to feel a
high level of fear
(Tjaden and Thoennes 2000).
Learn more about stalking.
Intimate Partner Violence
is a serious problem that is common in our society. Violence by an intimate
partner is linked to both immediate and long-term health, social, and
economic consequences. Factors at all levels—individual, relationship,
community, and societal—contribute to the perpetration of IPV. Preventing
IPV requires a clear understanding of those factors, coordinated resources,
and empowering and initiating change in individuals, families, and society.
Reference
The Centers for Disease Control
The bottom line is that abuse comes in many forms and
affects many people. One national study found that 29% of women and 22% of
men had experienced physical, sexual, or psychological Intimate Partner
Violence during their lifetime.
The United States National Domestic Abuse
Hotline is 1-800-799-7233
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