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Intimate Partner Violence And Domestic Violence

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Introduction. Intimate partner violence (IPV) which falls into the category of domestic violence is an epidemic among individuals in every community affecting twelve million men and women each year. IPV has no discrimination when it comes to characteristics of the victims. Although victims of IPV are predominately female, men are just as capable of becoming victims as well. The term intimate partner violence describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner (CDC, 2015). Such violence does not always require sexual intimacy and can occur among same-sex or heterosexual couples. Some risk factors for IPV victimization include: previous childhood victimization, low self-esteem, young age, low income, and heavy drug and alcohol use.
IPV along with any other domestic violence related incidence, can cause a series of health problems in the victim’s lifetime. Depending on how long the violence occurs, it can higher the risk for heart disease, chronic pain, arthritis, and asthma. Along with those risks, come mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The devastating consequences of IPV can cross generations and last a lifetime (What is Domestic Violence?, 2015). Although these health issues are more long-term effects, some of them are curable.
This epidemic is nothing new to society, it spans history and cultures. Rape and other forms of sexual exploitation have been used all over the world in every culture.

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