What is Relationship/Intimate Partner Violence? Relationship or intimate partner violence is prevalent in every community and affects people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
• Victims of intimate partner violence lose a total of 8.0 million days of paid work each year.
• The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $8.3 billion per year.
• Physical, mental, and sexual and reproductive health effects have been linked with intimate partner violence including:
• depression
• suicidality
• HIV or other STI’s
• adolescent pregnancy
• unintended pregnancy in general
• miscarriage
• stillbirth
• intrauterine hemorrhage
• nutritional deficiency
• abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal problems
• neurological disorders
• chronic pain
• disability
• anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• hypertension
• cancer
• cardiovascular diseases
• higher risk for developing addictions to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

What is Emotional/Verbal Abuse? Emotional/Verbal Abuse is name calling/put-downs; denying/shifting blame; treating a partner as an inferior; threatening to harm others/self or to reveal information that might be harmful; using threatening looks, actions, or gestures.

What is Physical Abuse? Physical Abuse is shoving, hitting, kicking, burning, strangle, biting, using weapons or other objects to cause injury, restraining. Damaged property when angry( thrown objects, punched walls, kicked doors, etc.). Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.

What is Sexual Abuse? Sexual abuse is any unwanted touching or forcing of an adult or child to engage in sexual acts against his or her will. This is known as rape or incest.

What is Stalking? Stalking is monitoring activities, phone calls, or emails; following a partner; impersonating or questioning others about a partner. This may be done without the victim’s knowledge.

What is Property or Economic Abuse? Property or economic abuse is destroying/stealing property; denying money for basic needs such as food or medical care; interfering with a partner’s work or education.