Intimate Partner Violence Overview

A tool used to measure the severity of violence experienced by intimate partners, covering different types of abuse like physical assault, psychological manipulation, sexual coercion and financial control.

A pattern of coercive behaviors used to establish and maintain power and control over a partner. It includes intimidation, emotional abuse, isolation, minimizing, denying, blaming, male privilege, economic abuse, and threats.

This type of abuse involves physical harm, such as hitting, punching, stabbing, burning, or any action causing physical pain.

This type of abuse involves using threats, insults, humiliation, and manipulation to control a partner's emotions and behavior.

This type of abuse refers to forcing someone to participate in sexual acts against their will. It includes any unwanted sexual contact or activity.

A cognitive behavioral therapy model that helps perpetrators understand that their violence is a learned behavior and that it's reinforcing because it achieves compliance and reduces their own tension. Through therapy, they learn to identify the costs and benefits of their actions and explore alternative, more constructive ways to deal with conflict.

A legal defense strategy that attempts to explain a victim's violent response to abuse by highlighting the psychological effects of enduring prolonged abuse.

The belief that a perpetrator has the right to control their partner through violence. This belief is a major barrier to change and needs to be addressed in therapy.

A therapeutic approach that aims to help individuals who have experienced trauma and abuse by challenging their distorted beliefs and changing their unhealthy coping mechanisms.

The belief that violence is a justified and effective way to resolve conflict. This belief is often a result of learned behavior and needs to be challenged through therapy.

A model of intimate partner violence that emphasizes the role of societal norms and beliefs that favor men's dominance over women as the root cause of abuse.

A model that proposes that evolution has led to a system where abusers use violence to secure control over relationship resources, like sex or attention.

A model where learned behaviours are influenced by observations and rewards/punishments. It applies to intimate partner violence by suggesting people learn violent behaviours through their experiences and surroundings.

A state where a person feels helpless to stop negative events, often developing after repeated experiences of abuse. It can lead to a victim staying in an abusive relationship.

A pattern of escalating tension, violent outburst, and a period of remorse and reconciliation observed in many abusive relationships.

A type of abuser focused primarily on domestic violence with minimal violence outside the home. They often express remorse and may be insecure or dependent.

A type of abuser showing more extreme behaviour, including violence outside the home, emotional problems, and a strong need for control.

A type of abuser demonstrating widespread violence across various settings, with antisocial tendencies, personality disorders, and a higher likelihood of severe abuse.

Legal orders issued by a court to protect a victim from abuse. They can include restrictions on the abuser's actions, such as contact or weapon possession.

Policies requiring police to make an arrest in cases of intimate partner violence, even if the victim is hesitant to file a complaint.

Court-ordered therapies for abusers focused on addressing the root causes of their violence and developing healthy coping mechanisms.

A feminist-based therapy model emphasizing the patriarchal roots of abuse. It aims to challenge abusers' beliefs and behaviours that uphold male dominance.

A therapeutic approach that focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviours. It can be used to address anger management and other issues related to intimate partner violence.

The tendency for abusers to repeat their violent behaviours. Factors like lack of treatment, untreated mental health issues, and lack of accountability can contribute to this.

Intimate partner violence can occur in same-sex relationships and shares many similarities with heterosexual relationships. However, unique dynamics, such as threats to outed sexuality, can come into play.