Intimate Partner Violence

What is intimate partner violence?

• Intimate partner violence is also known as domestic violence. This is a form of family violence which may occur when someone harms his or her partner knowingly or on purpose. Although most of the victims of domestic violence are women, men may also get hurt in a relationship. One person may try to control or overpower the relationship by using intimidation, threats, or actual physical force. This may happen to couples who are married, living together, or dating. Intimate partners may also include former spouses, live-in partners, boyfriends, or girlfriends. Pregnant women and those who recently gave birth, including their babies, may also become victims of domestic violence.
  
  
• Intimate partner violence may be a part of a continuing cycle that is hard to break. There may be a pattern of an ongoing, non-stop, or on and off abuse. This may begin when tension builds up between couples and the abuser gets angry and becomes violent. The abuser then begs for forgiveness, promises to change, or tries to make up for the wrongdoing. The abuser may also act like the violence never happened, or repeat the acts of violence over and over again. Intimate partner violence may lead to physical, emotional, and mental pain, serious injury, and disability. When domestic violence is reported and diagnosed, caregivers can help people who are at risk for, or who are victims of this kind of violence.

What are the types of intimate partner violence?

The following are types of intimate partner violence:

• Physical abuse: This includes getting hurt by someone due to hitting, slapping, kicking, biting, pushing, choking, pulling hair, or burning. Physical violence may also include stalking or using physical restraints, knives, or firearms (guns). The most severe (bad) thing that may happen during physical violence is when someone actually kills his or her partner.
  
  
• Psychological or emotional abuse: Emotional abuse includes insulting, threatening, humiliating, intimidating, degrading, or harassing through words or actions. This may also involve not trusting you, acting jealous or possessive, or isolating you from family or friends. Controlling your finances or refusing to share money or properties may also cause emotional abuse.
  
  
• Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse or marital rape is also considered domestic violence. Sexual abuse is when someone has sexual contact with his or her partner without consent. This includes forcing sex when you are sick, tired, or after beating you up, or ignoring your feelings about sex. Inviting other people to join in sexual activities with you, or forcibly using objects during sex is also a sexual abuse.

What causes intimate partner violence?

The exact cause of intimate partner violence is not known. There are many things that may cause someone to abuse his partner. Poor or crowded living conditions may be one of the reasons why it occurs. The following are other possible causes and conditions that may increase a person's risk of domestic violence:

• Risks related to the abuser:
  
  
  • Depends heavily on the partner for things, such as money or housing.
    
    
  • Drinks alcohol or uses illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.
    
    
  • Has a personality disorder, depression, or another mental illness.
    
    
  • Has a history of family violence, such as physical or sexual abuse.
    
    
  • Has no stable job.
    
    
  • Has stress due to work, taking care of the partner or children, or financial problems.
  
  
• Risks related to the victim:
  
  
  • Has history of intimate partner violence or other forms of family violence.
    
    
  • Has few friends or stays far from other relatives.
    
    
  • Shows aggressive or disruptive behavior.
    
    
  • Young women who are single, separated, or divorced.

What are the signs and symptoms of intimate violence?

You may have unexplained repeated injuries. You may have old injuries that were not treated when they happened. You may also have any of the following:

• Emotional violence:
  
  
  • Always disturbed or frightened.
    
    
  • Avoids eye contact or not talking openly to others.
    
    
  • Feeling anxious, shy, depressed, or withdrawn.
    
    
  • Hopelessness or low self-esteem.
    
    
  • Sleep problems.
    
    
  • Sudden changes of mood or eating patterns.
    
    
  • Wanting to hurt yourself or other people.
  
  
• Physical and sexual violence:
  
  
  • Abrasions (scratches), or bite marks. You may have marks from objects used for restraining, such as belts, ropes, or electrical cords.
    
    
  • Broken or dislocated bones.
    
    
  • Contusions (bruises), especially on both upper arms (grab marks).
    
    
  • Lacerations (cuts) or scars.
    
    
  • Scars or burns from cigarettes, irons, or hot water.
    
    
  • Unexplained bleeding or discharge coming from the nose, mouth, or genitals.

How is intimate partner violence diagnosed?

Your caregiver will take a detailed health history from you. This may include information on the kind of domestic violence that is occurring. He may ask you if you have been hit, slapped, injured, or touched sexually without your consent. He may also want to know who is abusing you and how long the abuse has been taking place. You may need to take tests or answer written questions so your caregiver may learn more about your domestic violence. You may also need any of the following tests:

• Blood and urine tests: Samples of blood and urine may be sent to a lab for tests.
  
  
• Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CT or CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your head and body. It will look at your bones, muscles, blood vessels, and organs. You may be given dye by mouth or in an IV before the pictures are taken. The dye may help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish or have other allergies.
  
  
• Culture and smear exam: A sample of discharge may be collected from an area such as the eyes or genitals, and taken to a lab for tests.
  
  
• Pelvic exam: Women may need to have an internal or vaginal exam. The exam will give caregivers information about any injuries that may have resulted from the abuse.
  
  
• X-rays: You may need to have x-rays. Caregivers may use these pictures to see if any bones have been broken or are displaced. X-rays of your chest and abdomen (stomach) may also be taken.

How is intimate partner violence treated?

A person who has been abused may need to leave his or her abusive partner. You may also be placed in a safe shelter or home care. Special services may be offered to ensure your safety and health. Treatment may also include any of the following:

• For the abused partner:
  
  
  • Counseling: Your caregiver may talk to you, your family, friends, or the abuser about intimate partner violence. He may explain the problems that can occur if intimate partner violence is not noticed or stopped.
    
    
  • Medicines: Caregivers may give you medicine to help ease your pain. You may need antibiotic medicine or a tetanus shot if there is an open wound. Medicines may also be given if you have other medical conditions.
    
    
  • Surgery: You may need surgery to treat injuries. Surgery may return bones to their normal position if there is a fracture (broken bone). Surgery may also be needed to correct a deformity or treat other injuries.
  
  
• For the abuser:
  
  
  • Civil actions or criminal prosecution: State laws that protect the victim and prosecute the abuser may be different. There are civil actions, such as protective order, injunction, or restraining orders to prevent the abuser from committing more violence. Some states may order the abuser to leave or keep away from the victim, make support payments, or receive counseling. Abusers who do not follow these orders may be arrested and punished.
    
    
  • Medicines: Medicines may be given to treat depression and alcohol or substance abuse.
    
    
  • Psychotherapy: This is a type of counseling that is usually done in a series of meetings or talks. These meetings can help people understand why intimate partner violence happens, and learn about problems that an abuser might have.
    
    
  • Rehabilitation: An abuser may need to be put in an alcohol or substance abuse rehabilitation program. These programs may help him learn how to control or stop his drinking or drug problem.

Where can I find support and more information?

Reporting intimate partner violence may be hard to do, but it is very important. By reporting intimate partner violence, you will get the help that you need to stop it from continuing, or happening to you. Talk to your caregiver, family, or friends about your feelings. Your caregiver can help you and your family better understand how to support you. You and your family may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who may have also been physically or sexually abused by their intimate partners. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
  1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 1603
  Denver , CO 80203
  Phone: 1- 303 - 839-1852
  Phone: 1- 800 - 799-7233
  Web Address: http://www.ncadv.org
  

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  Phone: 1- 800 - 799-7233
  Web Address: www.ndvh.org
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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