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Don’t wait for a positive pregnancy test or a positive result from STI testing to start paying attention to signs of intimate partner violence. While we all aspire to be in healthy and safe relationships; we understand that this isn’t always the case.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) can occur to anyone regardless of their gender, financial status, age, ethnicity, sexuality, etc. It also can look very different for each person as not all abuse is physical. However, just because you are not in a physically abusive relationship doesn’t mean there is no danger.
The United States Department of Justice defines domestic violence as:
“a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.”
Because intimate partner violence can vary from relationship to relationship, it’s important to beware of the signs. IPV usually occurs gradually. It’s not common to go on one date and the next day the partner get physical or starts degrading you in conversation. The gradual change is what sometimes makes it difficult to identify IPV.
Power and control are often what drive intimate partner violence, possibly due to anger management issues, substance problems, jealousy, low self-esteem, etc. Power gain behaviors are usually done sparingly at first and can escalate. Additionally, abuse can start and occur during all stages in a relationship: dating, living together, marriage, during pregnancy, and after having children.
Some examples of abusive behaviors include:
“About 41% of women and 26% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and . . . over 61 million women and 53 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.”
The statistics are too high. Intimate partner violence can lead to bodily injuries, mental health problems, and even death. Annually, domestic violence is responsible for approximately 1500 deaths in the United States.
If you believe you are a victim of intimate partner violence and live in the Hampton Roads community, contact Transition Family Violence Services at (757) 723-7774. If you are located elsewhere in the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 by dialing 800-799-7233.
Additionally, clear your browser history to prevent your partner from monitoring your search and view history. Remember, you are valuable and worthy of a healthy relationship.
If you need pregnancy or sexual health medical & advocacy services, Alcove Health Women’s Clinic can help. We provide free and confidential services, including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STI testing, parenting support, and more. Call or visit our appointment page to request your appointment here at Alcove Health.
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