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What is intimate partner violence (IPV) ?

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What is intimate partner violence (IPV) ?

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Physical violence: hurts or attempt to hurt someone with physical force

Sexual violence: forcing or attempting to force a partner to take part in a sex act, sexual touching, or a non-physical sexual event (like sexting) when the partner does not consent.

Stalking: a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a partner that causes fear or concern for their safety or their peers safety.

Psychological aggression is the use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to harm a partner mentally, emotionally or to have control over a partner.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). About intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/index.html

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Intimate partner violence is a significant public health issue.

Intimate partner violence has a profound impact on lifelong health, opportunity, and well-being.

What is intimate partner violence?

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship. Intimate partner refers to both current and former spouses and dating partners.

IPV can vary in how often it happens and how severe it is. It can range from one episode of violence to chronic and severe episodes over multiple years.

IPV can include any of the following types of behavior:

Physical violence is when a person hurts or tries to hurt a partner by using physical force.

Sexual violence is forcing or attempting to force a partner to take part in a sex act, sexual touching, or a non-physical sexual event (e.g., sexting) when the partner does not or cannot consent.

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a partner that causes fear or concern for one's own safety or the safety of someone close to the victim.

Psychological aggression is the use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to harm a partner mentally or emotionally or to exert control over a partner.

Quick facts and stats

IPV is common. It affects millions of people in the United States each year. Data from CDC's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) indicate:

About 41% of women and 26% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported a related impact.

Over 61 million women and 53 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

IPV starts early and continues throughout people's lives. When IPV occurs in adolescence, it is called teen dating violence. About 16 million women and 11 million men who reported experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime said that they first experienced it before age 18.

While violence impacts all people, some individuals and communities experience inequities in risk for violence due to the social and structural conditions in which they live, work, and play. Youth from groups that have been marginalized are at greater risk of experiencing sexual and physical dating violence.

Outcomes

Intimate partner violence can result in injuries and even death. Data from U.S. crime reports suggest that about one in five homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner. The reports also found that over half of female homicide victims are killed by a current or former male intimate partner.

Many other negative health outcomes are associated with intimate partner violence. These include conditions affecting the heart, muscles and bones, and digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems, many of which are chronic.

Survivors can experience mental health problems such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. They are at higher risk for engaging in behaviors such as smoking, binge drinking, and risky sexual activity. People from groups that have been marginalized, such as people from racial and ethnic minority groups, are at higher risk for worse consequences.

Although the personal consequences of intimate partner violence are devastating, there are also many costs to society. The lifetime economic cost associated with medical services for IPV-related injuries, lost productivity from paid work, criminal justice and other costs, is $3.6 trillion. The cost of IPV over a victim's lifetime was $103,767 for women and $23,414 for men.

Prevention

Intimate partner violence can be prevented. Certain factors may increase or decrease the risk of perpetrating or experiencing intimate partner violence.

Preventing intimate partner violence requires understanding and addressing the factors that put people at risk for or protect them from violence.

Promoting healthy, respectful, and nonviolent relationships and communities can help reduce the occurrence of intimate partner violence. It also can prevent the harmful and long-lasting effects of intimate partner violence on individuals, families, and communities.

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This page defines intimate partner violence, presents the latest data and describes outcomes.

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1. Decrease in the number of injuries due to intimate partner violence in college aged students (18-21) in San Francisco in 3 years.

2. Decrease in the number of injuries due to intimate partner violence college aged students (18-21) in San Francisco in 3 years.

3. Decrease in number of psychological distress (PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, etc.) due to intimate partner violence among college aged students (18-21) in San Francisco in 3 years.

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Women ages 18 to 24 and 25 to 34 generally experience the highest rates of intimate violence.

From 1994 to 2010, approximately 4 in 5 victims of intimate partner violence were female.

45 percent of Black women report physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, which is almost 20 percent higher than the rate reported by non-Hispanic white women.

48 percent of American Indian/Alaska Native women, report physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, which is more than 25 percent higher than the rate reported by non-Hispanic white women.

During 2016–2022, among women with a live birth in nine jurisdictions, 5.4% experienced IPV during pregnancy. Emotional IPV (5.2%) was more common than physical (1.5%) and sexual (1.0%) IPV. All IPV types were associated with delayed or no prenatal care, depression and substance use during pregnancy, and low infant birth weight

National Partnership for Women & Families. (2024, August 13). Intimate Partner Violence Endangers Pregnant People and Their Infants | National Partnership for Women & Families. https://nationalpartnership.org/report/intimate-partner-violence/

Steele-Baser, M., Brown, A. L., D’Angelo, D. V., Basile, K. C., Lee, R. D., Nguyen, A. T., & Cassell, C. H. (2024). Intimate Partner Violence and Pregnancy and Infant Health Outcomes — Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, Nine U.S. jurisdictions, 2016–2022. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 73(48), 1093–1098. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7348a1

National Partnership for Women & Families. (2024, August 13). Intimate Partner Violence Endangers Pregnant People and Their Infants | National Partnership for Women & Families. https://nationalpartnership.org/report/intimate-partner-violence/

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Our years of experience offering 24/7 support for people in abusive relationships has been informed by these domestic violence statistics.

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Between The Lines

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In San Francisco:

3,402 calls were made in 2022 relating to domestic violence.

2,686 calls involved a weapon.

More than half of domestic violence victims were Black or Latinx.

Domestic violence disproportionately affects women at a rate of 70% of all cases.

Males represented 79% of suspects.

62% of suspects were ages 18-39.

Study reveals billion-dollar toll of domestic violence in California. (2024, June 4). Tulane University News. https://news.tulane.edu/pr/study-reveals-billion-dollar-toll-domestic-violence-california

State of California Department of Justice - OpenJustice. (n.d.). State of California Department of Justice - OpenJustice. (n.d.). https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/exploration/crime-statistics/domestic-violence-related-calls-assistance

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In 2022, Proposition 5 was approved by voters in SF to create the Office of Victim and Witness Rights. The Office focused on coordinating services for victims including domestic violence survivors.

Services included a right to legal counsel for victims of domestic violence.

Despite the proposition, there's still huge financial gap in providing legal counsel to every survivor.

Pena, L. (2025, January 16). SF domestic violence survivors struggle to get legal counsel, even though it was guaranteed in 2022. ABC7 San Francisco. https://abc7news.com/post/san-francisco-domestic-violence-survivors-struggle-get-legal-counsel-prop-guaranteed-2022/15804225/

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Causes Contributing to Domestic Violence

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Causes Contributing to Domestic Violence

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Reasons Abusers Need to Control:

Anger management issues

Jealousy/low self-esteem

Feeling inferior

Cultural beliefs

Learned behavior

Alcohol and drugs

Risk Factors for Domestic Violence

Lower-education levels

Childhood abuse

Belief that violence resolves conflict

Misogyny

Drug and alcohol abuse

Huecker, M. R., King, K. C., Jordan, G. A., & Smock, W. (2023, April 9). Domestic violence. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499891

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Why People Abuse:

Tactics of abuse are used to create an imbalance in equality in a relationship to make a partner feel less valuable or deserving of respect.

Anyone can be a victim of interpersonal violence and it can cause isolation.

Being abusive is a decision by a partner to create their desired power dynamic.

Why People Stay:

Relationships are complex

Possible retaliation can be extremely harmful

Leaving is often the most dangerous period of time for survivors of abuse

Victims may experience fear, shame, or intimidation when attempting to leave their partner

A lack of resources can make it difficult to find opportunities to leave

When children are apart of the family, disrupting the family unit by leaving can be intimidating or lead one to feel guilty

Why people stay in an abusive relationship | The Hotline. (2025, March 6). The Hotline. https://www.thehotline.org/support-others/why-people-stay-in-an-abusive-relationship/

Why do people abuse | The National Domestic Violence Hotline. (2025, March 6). The Hotline. https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/why-do-people-abuse/

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SFSU college students ages 18-21 in San Francisco

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Program Activities Phase 1: Development (mos. 1-5)

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Program Activities Phase 1: Development (mos. 1-5)

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Allocate funding

Hire professional/instructors to teach new courses

Create a curriculum and a new GE course pertaining to healthy relationships/IPV.

Organizing a space for the assembly

Hiring guest speakers / professionals on IPV

Train these workers on the curriculum and IPV

Advertisements, announcements, and flyers (social media campaign)

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1. Increase the number of college-aged adults (18-21) who utilize programs promoting healthy and safe relationships, conflict management, and communication in San Francisco in 6-12 months.

2. Increase the number of college aged students (18-23) that utilize the resources available and leave relationships with IPV in San Francisco within 6 - 12 months. (behavior)

3. Increase the number of college-aged adults (18-21) that use conflict resolution skills, and are able to have calm discussions without aggression and nonviolent tactics in San Francisco within 1-6 months. (behavior)

4. Increase the number of college aged students (18-23) that utilize the resources available to be able to identify healthy relationships with IPV in San Francisco within 6 - 12 months. (skills)

5. Increase the number of college aged adults who demonstrate healthy social-emotional skills in relationships in San Francisco in 6-12 months.

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The cost is high $$

In 2022, a report found that $73.7 billion a year in California is spent in health care, lost productivity, loss of income, criminal justice and response programs for domestic cases.

Children exposed to IPV are more likely to be future victims or perpetrators

60% to 75% of families with abused women have children who are also abused. These children are more likely to have subsequent problems parenting and to maltreat their own children

In addition, children exposed to IPV are more likely to experience violent dating and intimate relationships as adults (either as victims or perpetrators).

Additional harmful effects of IPV on Children

Children who grow up with IPV may have impaired ability to concentrate; difficulty completing school work; and lower scores on measures of verbal, motor, and social skills.

Children who have been exposed to IPV often learn destructive lessons about the use of violence and power in relationships

Study reveals billion-dollar toll of domestic violence in California. (2024, June 4). Tulane University News. https://news.tulane.edu/pr/study-reveals-billion-dollar-toll-domestic-violence-california

Peterson, S. (2019, April 25). Effects. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/intimate-partner-violence/effects

Wathen, C. N., & MacMillan, H. L. (2013, October 1). Children’s exposure to intimate partner violence: Impacts and interventions. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3887080/#sec2

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Children’s exposure to intimate partner violence: Impacts and interventions

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Exposure to intimate partner violence is increasingly being recognized as a form of child maltreatment; it is prevalent, and is associated with significant mental health impairment and other important consequences. The present article provides an…

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Program Activities Phase 3: Closing (mos. 16-24)

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Program Activities Phase 3: Closing (mos. 16-24)

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Recurring every school year, program closes at end of each course

Completion of required attendance/training at assembly

Optional survey for feedback from participants

Certification for attendance of training (can put on resume)

Opportunity for volunteering at assembly or participating in organizing future assemblies, and opportunity for internship

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Secure at least a 95% completion rate of course by students enrolled

20 social media posts made advertising new program

15 school emails/announcements made through official channels announcing the implementation of the program

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PH 431- IPV Budget -- Spreadsheet - Sheet1 (1)

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1. Increase the knowledge of healthy boundaries and respect of college-aged adults (18-21) and their partners in San Francisco within 1-6 months.

2. Increase the number of college-aged adults (18-21) that believe that it is bad to put physical, emotional, or sexual harm onto others in San Francisco within 1-6 months. (attitude)

3. Decrease the stigma of IPV and increase in the number of college-aged adults (18-21) who believe it's good to access resources and seek help in San Francisco within 1-6 months. (attitudes)

4. Increase the number of college-aged adults (18-21) that know and can identify the signs of IPV in San Francisco within 6-12 months. (knowledge)

5. Increase the number of college-aged adults (18-21) who know where to find resources available to leave relationships with IPV in San Francisco within 0-6 months. (knowledge)

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Program Activities Phase 2: Implementation (mos. 6-24)

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Program Activities Phase 2: Implementation (mos. 6-24)

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Inform and educate participants on IPV to differentiate between healthy & toxic relationships. (Ages 18-21) through required college course

Use a research-based curriculum implemented in the course to educate enrolled students on health relationships by a trained professional.

Will have 3 course time options for enrollment (Monday, Wednesday, or Friday).

30 college students per class, meeting once a week for 2.5hrs (15 weeks). The course is a mixed gender course.

Students are encouraged to take the course within their first 2 years of undergraduate courses, but all students are welcome.

To advocate & spread awareness on IPV as a preventative measure. (Ages 18-21) through social outreach conducted by students and on-campus wellness centers

Use existing student organizations to aid in the widespread communication of the importance of "healthy relationships" - healthy relationship awareness and campaign

Education session - mandatory one time attendance at conclusion of course at assembly on IPV

After course, mandatory attendance at a campus assembly addressing the realities and professional perspectives of IPV and healthy/unhealthy relationships. A panel of professionals on related topics will be available to speak and answer student questions.

All 90 students are required to attend the assembly for certification of completion of course.

Assembly held once a semester, able to hold 150 students (including students not enrolled in course). The assembly is a mixed-gender event.

In order for students to get credit for the course they must attend the assembly and pass a test with an 80% or higher. If failed, they must retake the course again.