WHAT IS IPV?
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Intimate partner violence (IPV), also commonly referred to as domestic violence or domestic abuse, is abuse or coercion that occurs in a romantic relationship.
An “intimate partner” refers to both current and former spouses, dating and regular sexual partners.
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IPV can range from one episode of violence with lasting impact to chronic and severe episodes over multiple years. IPV includes a wide variety of abusive or violent behaviors. See below for the various categories and examples of how IPV can show up.
Types of Abuse
Abusive relationships begin subtly and escalate over time. They rarely start with physical violence. Instead, there's typically a period of time where the abuser slowly gains power and control and undermines your confidence.
Early warning signs can include excessive jealousy, constant monitoring, isolation from friends and family, and belittling or criticizing you frequently. These behaviors may seem minor at first but can gradually intensify, leading to more severe forms of abuse.
Recognizing these early signs and the different ways abuse can show up in a relationship is crucial in preventing the escalation of violence and maintaining your safety and well-being.
EMOTIONAL
Seeks to break down a person's confidence, self-worth, and identity so they can control, isolate and/or frighten.
PHYSICAL
The intentional, unwanted contact with your body or personal space that causes or has the intention of causing you fear, injury, disability, or death.
SEXUAL
Behaviors that force, pressure, or coerces someone to do something sexually that they don’t want to do or make someone feel uncomfortable
around sexual content.
DIGITAL
Using technology like apps, texting, and social media to bully, stalk, harass, control, blackmail, manipulate, or intimidate another person.
FINANCIAL
When one partner has control over the other partner’s ability to access, gain, use, or maintain financial resources.
SPIRITUAL
Using religion or
spirituality to control, harass, ridicule, or intimidate someone else. This includes shaming someone for their beliefs.
IDENTITY
This can include outing a person's sexuality before they are ready or insulting their identity - racial, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.
STALKING
Pattern of behavior where someone watches, follows, or harasses you, making you feel uncomfortable, afraid, or unsafe. Stalking can take place in-person or online.
For more information and examples of abuse, please visit https://www.thehotline.org/resources/types-of-abuse/
