Intimate Partner Violence

What is Intimate Partner Violence?
Intimate partner violence is also known as partner abuse, spousal abuse, domestic violence, or battering. It involves one partner attempting to control another through emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Domestic Violence can occur in any type of intimate or familial relationship, including straight, gay, or bisexual relationships. Although victims of abuse are often women, men can also be victims. If there are children in the home, they are often victims themselves or threatened, used as a control tactic by the perpetrator.

Examples of Relationship Abuse

· Actual or threatened abuse

· Name-calling or putdowns

· Humiliation

· Threats

· Keeping a partner from contacting their family or friends

· Withholding money

· Stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job

· Sexual assault

· Stalking

· Intimidation

If you are being abused, REMEMBER

1. You are not alone

2. It is not your fault

3. Help is available

Why Doesn't The Victim Just Leave

Leaving an abusive relationship difficult.

Why doesn't she just leave? Unfortunately, many people don't understand the complicated dynamics of intimate partner violence. But if you are in an abusive relationship, you know that it’s not that simple. Ending an intimate relationship is never easy, especially one that involves the intense ups and downs of domestic violence. Add being isolated from your family and friends, psychologically worn down, financially controlled, and physically hurt or threatened, and many victims cannot see a way out. Children make the situation even more complicated.

If you’re trying to decide whether to stay or leave, you may feel confused, uncertain, frightened, and torn. One moment, you may desperately want to get away, and the next, you may want to hang on to the relationship. Maybe you even feel guilty and blame yourself for the abuse or feel weak and embarrassed because, in the past, you've chosen to stay.