Domestic Violence Awareness Month

According to the CDC, roughly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men will experience sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. The CDC also reports that over 43 million women and 38 million men experience psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

What is Considered Domestic Violence?

• Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship.
  • An intimate partner could be a current or former spouse or dating partner.
  • It can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples (does not require sexual intimacy).
  • It can happen one time or over a period of years.
• Types of violence that can happen:
  • Physical violence
  • Sexual violence
  • Stalking
  • Psychological harm

Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Violence

• Individual Risk Factors
  • Low self-esteem
  • Low income
  • Heavy alcohol and drug use
  • Anger and hostility
  • Depression and suicide attempts
  • Lack of nonviolent social problem-solving skills
  • Poor behavior control/impulsiveness
  • And more
• Relationship Factors
  • Marital conflict-fights, tension, and other struggles
  • Jealousy, possessiveness, and negative emotion within an intimate relationship
  • Marital instability- divorces or separations
  • Dominance and control of the relationship by one partner over the other
  • Unhealthy family relationships and interactions
  • And more
• Community and Societal Factors
  • Low social capital- lack of institutions, relationships, and norms that shape a community’s social interactions.
  • Poor neighborhood support and cohesion
  • Traditional gender norms and gender inequality
  • Cultural norms that support aggression toward others
  • Societal income inequality

 
How We Can Prevent Domestic Violence  

• Strategies promoting healthy, respectful, and nonviolent relationships.
• Maintain high quality friendships.
• Strengthen economic support for families (social support from neighbors)
• Neighborhood collective efficacy
• Teach safe and healthy relationship skills.
• Support survivors to increase safety and lessen harms.
• Create protective environments.
• Disrupt developmental pathways toward partner violence (early childhood)