By: Lauren Jacques

Depending on whom you ask, Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence may be regarded as the same thing: abuse in a romantic relationship. However, others may reserve the term “Intimate Partner Violence” for this definition and use “Domestic Violence” as a broader term for abuse that occurs in the home. Under this second definition, Domestic Violence can include Child Abuse and Elder Abuse, as well as abuse from roommates or other people in the home.

Intimate Partner Violence can include violence in non-married relationships. Ron Wallace’s article “Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence: What’s the Difference?” states: “Use of the term ‘intimate partner violence’ moved us away from the old view that abusive violence only occurs in marital relationships where the husband was the abuser, and the wife was the victim.

The concept of intimate partner violence acknowledges that abuse can exist in any personal, intimate relationship, regardless of sexual orientation, marital status, or gender. … Regardless of whether we call it ‘domestic violence’ or ‘intimate partner violence,’ the term refers to a cycle of violence demonstrated through control and abuse that exists in a personal and intimate relationship. The cycle of violence that exists in a relationship can be challenging to break without intervention and external support systems for the victim.”

A person going through Domestic Abuse would feel in danger from one or multiple people they live with. A person dealing with Intimate Partner Violence would feel in danger from one or more people they are closely involved with, whether or not they live together. Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence are serious issues that follow a person inside and outside the home.

According to the CDC, “Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans. The term ‘intimate partner violence’ describes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse.”

The article “Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence” on reliasmedia.com states, “Because the need for power and control is at the root of IPV, abusers generally need to manage every aspect and every minute of their victims’ lives, including increasing isolation from family and friends, using intimidation and emotional abuse, coercing and threatening, threatening to harm loved ones or pets, using the children, destroying important and sentimental objects, minimizing and denying the abuse, and shifting blame onto the victim.”

When dealing with Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, or any other form of abuse, it’s important to remember something the Center for Family Justice’s article, “What is Domestic Violence” states, “Abuse is not love. It is one person in a relationship having power and control over the other person.”

To learn more about healing from different types of abuse, visit GoARO.org and check out the articles listed below. If you can, please consider volunteering your time or donating to support ARO’s mission of helping abuse survivors.

Resources:
“Intimate Partner Violence” by the CDC. Last reviewed October 9, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html.

“Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence: What’s the Difference?” By Ron Wallace. October 15, 2015. https://amuedge.com/domestic-violence-and-intimate-partner-violence-whats-the-difference/.

“Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence.” By Claire N. Kaplan, Daisy Lovelace, Leslie-Anne Pittard, Dion Lewis, Caitlin Corcoran, Marcus L. Martin. November 12, 2006. https://www.reliasmedia.com/articles/125047-domestic-violence-and-intimate-partner-violence.

“What is Domestic Violence?” By The Center for Family Justice. https://centerforfamilyjustice.org/faq/domestic-violence/.