Significance of the Problem
In the United States, approximately 1.5 million women report some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) each year and of those an estimated 324,000 are pregnant (Deshpande & Lewis-O'Connor, 2013). According to Deshpande and Lewis-O’Connor (2013), IPV is defined as abuse that may be actual or threatened by an intimate partner that can be physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional in nature. It is important for health care providers to realize IPV does not only include physical or sexual abuse but also includes name calling, financial control, constant criticism, and isolating women away from their families and friends (Deshpande & Lewis-O'Connor, 2013; Smith, 2008). There are 3 phases of abuse tension building
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Although IPV occurs in all racial and socioeconomic groups there are some risk factors that increase the risk of intimate partner violence such as being of the female gender, unmarried, low socioeconomic class, young age, uninsured, history of and/or experiencing abuse in childhood, and unintended pregnancy (Bunn, Higa, Parker, & Kaneshiro, 2009; Gottlieb, 2012). Many women believe that during pregnancy the abuse will go away, but unfortunately often it does not (Smith, 2008). Abuse during pregnancy is dangerous to not only the health of the woman but also to that of the fetus. According to Smith (2008), women who are subjected to intimate partner violence during pregnancy are more likely to have pregnancy complications such as preterm labor, miscarriage, infants with low birth weight, sexually transmitted infections, fetal death, late entry into care, and use drugs and alcohol (Smith, 2008). Also there is an increase risk of domestic homicide if abuse is to occur …show more content…
Many women do not report intimate partner violence due to many reasons such as not wanting to be defined as a victim, limited resources, and blaming themselves for the abuse (Smith, 2008). The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women should be screen for intimate partner violence at the initial prenatal visit, at least once each trimester and at their postpartum check up (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2016). In spite of these recommendations, women continue to no be screened by their health care providers (Bunn et al., 2009). Pregnancy is an excellent time to screen for IPV due to many recurrent appointments (Smith, 2008). Majority of women in the United States receive prenatal care during pregnancy, which increases the number of opportunities for women to disclose that they are experience IPV (Smith, 2008). There are various screening tools used to screen for IPV. As stated in Dunn and McCartney (2014), whether screening for IPV using a computer questionnaire, self answer questionnaire, or a provider interview all are equably effective (change wording. This includes the Abuse Assessment Screen, which is the most widely used screening tool and was created by the Family Violence Prevention
Approximately 1.3 million women each year are victims of physical assault by a partner in the United States, with larger numbers of such incidents not being reported (Herman, Rotunda, Williamson, & Vodanovich, 2014, p. 2). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as sexual, physical, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse, which can include sexual violence, psychological and emotional violence, or physical violence (Herman et al., 2014, p. 2). IPV is also known as dating violence, domestic violence, family violence, or spouse abuse.
A study conducted by Peek-Asa et al revealed that women in rural areas are more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence than women in urban areas. Studies on pregnant women demonstrate that 81 percent of pregnant, Appalachian women have experienced intimate partner violence (Shannon et al, 2015).Contributing influences affecting IPV in rural Appalachia include culture, economics, lack of resources and geographical isolation.
Intimate partner abuse is a sensitive social topic as well as an important topic with respect to health care and community nursing (Svavarsdottir, 2010). Nurses should be well aware of the signs and symptoms of intimate partner abuse, but its detection can often be difficult. Specific assessment protocols are often useless in detecting abuse because each situation of intimate partner abuse varies (Svavarsdottir, 2010). While identifying victims of physical abuse is difficult, it must be done to implement interventions to assist these victims. Nurses and health care professionals must be prepared to identify these individuals. In addition to identification of victims of intimate partner abuse, healthcare professionals must be diligent in education, which could prevent future incidences of intimate partner abuse.
Domestic violence exists everywhere and affects all people regardless of socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, sex, ethnicity, or religion. Most times physical violence is accompanied by emotional abuse and controlling behaviors. The result of domestic violence includes physical injury, psychological issues, and death. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) occurs in 1 of 4 women in the United States and can be correlated with a loss of emotional, social, physical and mental health. Intimate Partner Violence is an issue that does not receive a lot of recognition and is overlooked majority of the time. There is a lot of information on women in intimate partner violence relationships that explains how it affects women physically, mentally, and socially.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as sexual, physical or psychological abuse by a current or past spouse or partner and is one of the largest public issues the Unites States faces today. It is estimated that roughly 15.5 million children live in a household effected by IPV in the United States (Gustafsson, Coffman, Cox 2014). Children who are effected by IPV are more likely to have behavioral issues along with their development being negatively impacted (O'Campo, Caughy, Nettles 2010). It is important to research IPV to see how it can be minimized as much as possible along with seeing how people are effected by IPV.
Intimate partner violence can affect many individuals who are victims of abuse, and those who witness the abuse, especially children. No individual should fall victim of physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse from a current or former partner. On account of intimate partner violence, there should be awareness to others that things need to be done to put an end to abuse caused to women. The act of bringing awareness is needed, because it would “target community attitudes about IPV, increase opportunities for victim assistance through direct and indirect services, and increase accountability for perpetrators” (Klevens, Baker, Shelly, & Ingram, 2008, pg. 347). Women who are victims of intimate partner violence deserve all the help
Intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic violence, is violence that occurs between people that are involved in a close relationship (Benokraitis, 2012a, p. 384). The people involved don’t necessarily have to be married, just in a close personal, intimate relationship. Abusive relationships are unhealthy, damaging
Daily, families are facing issues that bring challenges to the home regardless if it 's violence or not. There are issues such as intimate partner violence (IPV) also known as domestic violence that at times are not reported until it is very late. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines intimate partner violence (IPV) as "physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression (including coercive tactics) by a current or former intimate partner (i.e. spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, dating partner, or ongoing sexual partner). The term intimate partner may or may not be cohabiting and may be of opposite or same sex. IPV exists may from a single episode of violence to ongoing battering" (Breiding, Basile, Smith, Black, & Mahendra, 2015). IPV affects women, men, and children regardless of ethnicity, race, sexual orientation and economic status. More than one in three women and more than one in four men in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime (Black, et al., 2011). As Hispanic four in ten women and three in ten men have been victims of rape, physical violence or stalking in his/her lifetime (Black, et al., 2011).
Intimate partner violence is a dangerous and frightening issue threatening women worldwide. Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, describes a cycle of abuse that involves either actual or threatened physical, sexual, psychological or emotional violence performed on someone by a spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, or significant other (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Although it is not often discussed, intimate partner abuse is an incredibly common public health problem. In fact, it is one of the most common forms of violence facing women of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, in which more than four million women in the United States experience abuse from a partner each year (Office on Women’s
National study reporting that among pregnant women in the United States, homicide is the second most predominant cause of traumatic death. Research indicates a number of other poor health and mental consequences for both mother and child when IPV occurs during pregnancy. In practice, fewer than 10 percent of health-care practitioners consistently screen for IPV. Social workers have the opportunity to influence the issue of IVP and pregnancy at various levels comprises the delivery of effective services to survivors. Social work practice is beneficial, therefore, in assessment, intervention, referral, prevention, policymaking, and research processes are related to IPV and pregnancy. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of this study on the scope and impact of IPV during pregnancy and to identify best practices for social workers for intervention. Iovanni &Miller, (2001) discuss the focus on recent development in the criminal justice system’s handling of the domestic violence cases. During the 1070s and early 980s the victims’ rights movement and the women’s movement took a stance against the criminal justice system as a whole. As a result of the battered women’s shelter movement exposed how widespread and common DV was and demonstrated that women who are battered are not pathologically ill. The article analyses the
It is believed that a large part of the population is in risk of this type of victimization (Giardino, 2010). With the health care community taking more interest in this issue, new screening tools have been developed to guide in the victim’s safety and find a way for them to leave the relationship (Giardino, 2010). In addition, intervention programs have been developed for the purpose of decreasing the risk of perpetrators from re-offending. There is an estimated 5.3 million IPV cases among woman that have occurred each year in the United States (Giardino, 2010). Two million have resulted in injuries and 1,300 deaths. It is more common for females to be victims of IPV but there has been cases where the victims are male or transgender. They are either married or single, involved in a heterosexual or same-sex relationship, and are members of any ethnic or socioeconomic group (Giardino, 2010). The myth of victims being poor, uneducated women is false. There is controversy in regards to the race and economic status of victims of intimate partner violence. There is no relationship between IPV and race, economic status, or educational level (Giardino, 2010). According to the National Violence against Women (NVAW), the ethnic groups of women most affected by IPV are American Indian, Alaskan Native, African American, and Hispanics
Intimate partner violence (or IPV) encompasses physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional harm from a partner. Approximately 25 percent of women and only 1.5 percent of men endure severe physical abuse, while 20 percent of women experience rape, the number for men is still 1.5 percent. Additionally, 50 percent of both men and women experience some kind of psychological aggression. This means that women are typically
The history of Domestic Violence (DV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) recognizes that abuse is not just an individual problem, but a social one. Our culture at one time reinforced the idea that violence within relationships was acceptable, and at the same time, blamed the abused for being victims. The way we think now about violence in the home has changed. Violence is a learned behavior that often is the result of months or years of intimidation and control. Contrary to belief, violence is no longer gender specific. Preventing Domestic Violence is important to me because of the physical and psychological effects it has on victims, the impact on families and communities, and the effectiveness of laws and resources.
Intimate Partner Violence is a serious public health problem in the United States. On average, 24 people every minute, and 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men are victim to some form of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner (CDC). Victims of IPV may suffer from a variety of different physical and psychological symptoms. They may suffer physical injuries, some minor, like cuts, scratches and bruises, and some more serious, that can lead to disability or death. They may also suffer from emotional harm, leading to depression, anxiety or PTSD. Victims of IPV may also try and cope with their trauma in unhealthy ways, such as participating in risky sex or substance abuse (CDC). In order to help address this crises,
Domestic violence is also associated with other mental health problems such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Women who are abused suffer an increased risk of unplanned or early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. As trauma victims, they are also at an increased risk of substance abuse. According to a U.S. study, women who experience intimate partner abuse are three times more likely to have gynecological problems than non-abused women. From Violence against Women: Effects on Reproductive Health, Outlook, vol. 20, no. 1 (September 2002). Other evaluations have shown that there are significant obstetric risk factors associated with domestic violence. Abused women are more likely to have a history of sexually transmitted disease infections, vaginal and cervical infections, kidney infections, and bleeding during pregnancy. These can also be all of which are risk factors for pregnant women. Abused women are more likely to delay prenatal care and are less likely to receive antenatal care.