What are 6 types of Intimate Partner Violence(IPV) and why do women bear it?

 

While intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is often confused with Domestic Violence(DV), they differ. According to YWCA Spokane, Domestic Violence is violence that takes place within a household and can be between any two people within that household. Domestic Violence (DV) can occur between a parent and child, siblings, or even roommates. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can only occur between romantic partners who may or may not be living together in the same household. Intimate Partner Violence may also be referred to as Intimate Partner Domestic Violence (IPDV). IPV can be within formal unions like marriages or informal partnerships like dating relationships.

Globally, about 30% of women above the age of 15 have suffered domestic violence. Most of this violence is Intimate Partner Violence(IPV). Worldwide, almost one-third (27%) of women aged 15-49 years who have been in a relationship report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner. It is a huge number and when the world claims to be more developed than ever with the advancements in technology and the digital world, isn’t it sarcastic to even claim so? What kind of world is considered to be advancing when half of its population is denied basic human rights? The most fundamental human right ‘the right to live’ is violated every time a woman is abused in any corner of the earth. Human rights that make the life worth living- rights to food, education, health, work, and liberty are taken away from her in the name of religion, rituals, protection, or just for being a female. Women are struggling to get respect for their unpaid work at home, equal pay for the work compared to males, and save themselves from harassment at workplaces, public places, and transport. But they are not even safe with their partners and family members.

Isn’t it ironic that the society which blabbers about women’s empowerment is disempowering them at the root level? 

What are the most common types of Intimate Partner Violence(IPV)?

1. Emotional violence-Doesn’t allow his wife to talk to her parents, relatives, or friends.

He would get angry every time she receives a call in front of him and starts yelling for no reason.

2. Economic violence- He would make her understand that she could never earn or if she is earning

then how less it is compared to what he is earning. He would refuse his partner money for

expenses that have already been done and also that are needed to be done.

3. Sexual violence-Gets aggressive or angry when she would not agree to his physical needs.

4. Physical violence- He would slap, beat, and punch his wife or partner whenever she argues

with him or defends herself, or just to take out his frustration.

5. Social Violence- Not allowing his wife to meet her relatives or friends

6. Psychological violence- Insult her in private or in front of others. Make her feel bad for the way

she looks, dresses, or does any work.

Why do women keep bearing Intimate Partner Violence(IPV)?

》When he physically abuses his wife, she is made to believe that she is responsible for

making him angry.

》When it comes to sexual needs the husband demands it as his right and presses the fact that if she will not comply with him then he can go elsewhere.

》Every time he gives her money he stresses that only he can bear her expenses and no one else can. She is made to believe that she is a spendthrift and incompetent in money matters.

》Makes her believe that if she stands for herself and speaks against him then she is not a good wife according to societal standards. She is under pressure to remain silent so that the family is together.

》He would make her feel inferior by staring at women in her presence. He would compare her looks with other women, compare the work done by her; maybe it is cooking or cleaning or the way she handles kids, with his relatives.

》He would behave normally in the presence of others and this makes the wife believe that nothing is wrong with him. He may even resort to complaining about her to his parents or her parents to prove her incompetency. He would show her instances when he has done so much for her. So the wife starts looking at faults in her instead of what is done wrong by him.

Image credit: India Today

In most cases, a woman is not even aware that she is a victim of domestic violence or

intimate partner violence. When everything around her looks normal and the only time

when she is abused is when she is alone with her partner, creates self-doubt where she

is not able to comprehend the situation. Even if a woman knows that domestic violence

is a legal crime, she chooses to be silent and tolerates it as a normal societal norm.

Sometimes she doesn’t have a place to go or she might not have the support to fight

against it or she is afraid of looking after the children financially. More than 80% of women

would never seek help and about 70% of them would never speak about the abuse to

anyone. 

Effects of Intimate Partner Violence(IPV) On Women

1) Mental Health Problems- The victim suffers from insomnia, stress, and anxiety. While

these problems can be easily recognized, there are psychological effects that the victim

suffers from for a lifetime. They are low self-esteem, no self-respect, and self-doubt.

These lead to slurred speech, memory loss, and trouble concentrating.

2) Physical Health Problems- Physical violence leads to multiple health issues in a victim,

like digestive problems, migraines, asthma, and chronic pain.

3) Sexual Health Problems- Sexual abuse leads to vaginal and pelvic pain. There is a high

rate of unwanted pregnancy in victims of sexual violence.

IPV not only affects the women, but it also affects their children. The scars of such

incidences never let them live a normal childhood and the pain carries over to their

adulthood. The emotional and psychological impact on children witnessing IPV needs

to be addressed early. If they are not given a positive environment, the pain lasts for a

lifetime for such children. It is time that we together build an empathetic society that stands

with the women in distress and helps them come out of abuse and heal.

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“The effects of abuse are devastating and far-reaching. Domestic violence speaks many languages, has many colors and lives in many different communities.”    — Sandra Pupatello

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