Assessing and Supporting People Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

Risks and Warning Signs of Intimate Partner Violence
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Who is at risk of IPV?

Anyone can be affected by IPV regardless of race, education, age, gender, or economic status--but, certain groups may be at higher risk.

People can have individual risks, such as

  • Women, particularly young women
  • Low education and/or low income
  • Sexual orientation
  • A history of witnessing or being physically or emotionally abused

People can be at higher risk depending on their community and socio-economic environment, such as

  • Poverty
  • Cultural norms that support aggression and accept violence
  • Unequal gender roles such as male entitlement over females and acceptance of male violence towards females
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Also, some situations and contexts can increase violence, such as conflict, post-conflict, displacement, familial or community crisis and where individuals engage in harmful use of alcohol.