Intimate Partner Violence

We had a lecture last week on an incredibly important topic, intimate partner violence (or domestic violence). I was shocked by the prevalence; IPV involves 13-30% of women (85% of cases involve women). It can encompass physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, or economic abuse. Often, perpetrators use threat of harm to maintain dominance over their intimate partners through fear. Abusive relationships only get worse over time. The effect on health is profound; not only does it involve acute injuries, but also chronic pain and mental health disorders. The scary thing, I think, is that IPV is self-perpetuating. Children who witness or experience abuse often grow up to become perpetrators or victims. It is also incredibly hard for victims to get out of abusive relationships.

This was made apparent by two very brave women who came to talk to our class about their experience in abusive relationships. I can't share any details about their stories, but what struck me was how entrenched victims become in these situations. Their husbands controlled everything - credit cards, gasoline, jobs, even whether they could talk to neighbors. For decades, these women had been told that they were worthless and dependent; for decades, they had been threatened and their children had been threatened. Only over a long period of time were they able to set up the necessary interventions to get out of those abusive relationships. I really have a lot of respect for that.