The VA’s January Women’s Health Campaign – Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence (IPV), which is often called domestic violence, occurs when a current or former intimate partner (e.g., boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse) harms, threatens to harm, or stalks their partner. While domestic violence does include IPV, it refers to any violence that occurs in the home. Domestic violence includes child abuse, elder abuse, and other forms of interpersonal abuse. IPV refers specifically to violence between intimate partners. IPV can happen to anyone. It can happen no matter your age, income, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability.
IPV is prevalent among women Veterans, active duty women, and women living in the U.S. overall. One third of women Veterans experience IPV in their lifetime compared to less than a quarter of civilian women. Women who have experienced IPV may have short and long-term health effects. They may experience short-term health effects such as physical injuries like stab wounds or broken bones or sexually transmitted infections. They may also experience long-term health effects such as obesity; problems with their heart, stomach, or digestive systems; difficulties with pregnancy or unwanted pregnancies; chronic pain; and other stress-related difficulties such as headaches. They may also experience mental health issues such as depression, substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, and thoughts of hurting themselves.
If you are a female Veteran and need information or resources about intimate partner violence or help with any other issue, please visit www.womenshealth.va.gov or call 1.855.VA.WOMEN. #DVAM #StopIPV
