Intimate partner violence (IPV) describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse [1]. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.  It can be a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions that influence another person.  This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.  Domestic Violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender.  It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating.  Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels [2].  According to the Domestic Violence Statistics, intimate partner violence statistics demonstrate that nearly 1 in 5 teenagers who are in a relationship have accepted being threatened with violence from their partners or the partner threaten to self-harm if the person broke up with them [3].

 

Domestic Violence is separated into two groups: Intimate partner violence and Family violence. Intimate partner violence is different because it is between two adult persons who are in a relationship or were in a relationship.  Family violence is when one person has all the power and abuses all the other family members.  Family violence can be directed towards the children, the elderly, or the spouse.  The abuser might only hurt and injure his partner and just intimidate and terrorize the children.  It is difficult to separate between behaviors that are only seen in intimate partner violence and behaviors that are seen in family violence, as there is overlap.  Additionally, just because an abuser does not use a certain behavior that is commonly associated in IPV does not mean it is not domestic violence.  The same applies to family violence just because a certain behavior is not present does not mean it is no longer domestic violence.

 

 

"Domestic Violence Statistics." Domestic Violence Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016

[1] "Intimate Partner Violence." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 May 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2016

[2] "What Is Domestic Violence?" ACT Abuse Counseling Treatment RSS. Abuse Counseling and Treatment, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

 

 

Relationship violence often follows a pattern of three phases characterized by increasing tension, explosion, and calm. How long each phase lasts is unpredictable.

 

Phase 1: Tension Building

In this phase the abuser may be extremely critical, bullying, moody and demanding. The individual experiencing violence still feels some control over the situation and may attempt to pacify the abuser in order to postpone or stop the next battering phase. With the increase in tension, these attempts become less effective. The abuser’s negative behavior escalates and may begin to include direct or implied threats of violence. This may be a time when the abused individual seeks outside help and professional assistance.

 

Phase 2: Battering

In this phase, the abuser’s behavior escalates to physical or extreme emotional violence and the individual may feel completely helpless in controlling the escalation. Some individuals experiencing violence may even precipitate the battering incident in order to “get it over with” and regain some sense of control. At this stage, appropriate interventions for the abused individual may include medical attention, arranging for safety and/or shelter and crisis intervention.

 

Phase 3: The “Honeymoon”

In this phase, the abuser may repeatedly express what appear to be genuine feelings of remorse and may shower his partner with attention or gifts. The abuser may promise to “never do it again” or to get counseling. The individual who experienced the violence may feel relieved that the battering is over and may be tempted to forgive the batterer. At this time the individual experiencing violence needs support and information to help identify manipulative behavior. It is important to remain focused on safety.

 

 

"What Is Domestic Violence?" ACT Abuse Counseling Treatment RSS. Abuse Counseling and Treatment, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"The Three-Phase Cycle of Domestic Violence." Women's Resource Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.