Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

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Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a crime that has received much attention within the past ten years. According to the Center for Disease Control, “Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans. The term "intimate partner violence" describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy” (Intimate partner violence, 2015, paragraph 1). In addition to this, IPV violence can also take other forms that most people may not consider to be IPV, such as financial abuse, i.e. running up a partner or spouse’s credit card or not allowing a partner …show more content…

Some of the negative effects of IPV include experiencing flashbacks, with or without Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, and changes in sleep patterns. Victims’ self-esteem often drops as well, many conflicts occurring in the context of the victims; behaviors in relationships, including commitment issues and problems with trust. Mental health conditions such as depression, anorexia, and bulimia may also develop in the context of anger and pressure, as the person tries to handle negative feelings, such as guilt, shame, and fear about IPV. Suicide ideation, as well as unhealthy ways to cope with the IPV, can also happen. For instance, individuals who experience IPV may engage in excessive drinking, drug use, promiscuous sexual behavior, excessive gambling, and smoking cigarettes (Intimate partner violence, …show more content…

National surveys are one way that IPV is statistically measured. The Bureau of Justice Statistics has created the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). This survey is utilized to measure IPV within the scope of a general crime victimization scope. If the victim of IPV is having difficulty remembering key facts of an IPV crime, then the NCVS will assess any crime victimization that has occurred within a half year period. However, conducting the NCVS in this manner may not be as accurate and leave out some incidents of IPV that have been committed against victims. The NCVS relies on interviews of every member in a household that is at least 12 years old. Yet, issues of confidentiality may arise with the NCVS, residents of each house interviewed every 6 months and every three years (Measuring intimate partner violence, 2010, paragraph

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