Breaking The Stigma of Intimate Partner Violence

A 2014 report by The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls Intimate Partner Violence a “public health problem in the United States,” recognizing it is as “serious and preventable.” Extensive research and personal testimonies demonstrate that if we do not prevent Intimate Partner Violence, it can hurt more than just the individual being subjected to the abuse. In fact, the abuse can negatively impact a victim’s family, his or her friends, and the community as a whole. According to the CDC, the consequences of Intimate Partner Violence can result in long-term damage, increasing a victim’s risk for chronic diseases and mental illness.

This new term—Intimate Partner Violence—has helped remove several stigmas associated with its previous name, Domestic Violence. First, it is important to note
that this type of abuse can happen in any relationship. In addition to married couples, Intimate Partner Violence can occur between common-law spouses, civil unions, domestic partners, dating partners, or ongoing sexual partners. Second, a victim of Intimate Partner Violence does not have to live in the same home with the abuser. Neither the location nor the living situation is important in determining if an act is abusive. Rather, the common denominator for Intimate Partner Violence is the abuse itself, and this abuse can surface in a number of ways.

Another common misconception is that the abuse has to be physical. Abuse can be sexual, too. Victims can be forced to engage in intercourse or violent sexual acts, even if they are married. Intimate Partner Violence can also be psychological and include stalking, social media threats, or unwelcomed visits to the victim’s home. Finally, psychological aggression and attempts to control another’s behavior constitutes Intimate Partner Violence. Death threats, yelling, and humiliation are all examples of what Intimate Partner Violence can look like when one person abuses another in a relationship.

One’s cultural background can pose further challenges when helping a person identify that he or she is a victim, and it creates additional barriers that prevent someone from seeking help. Culture is more than just a person’s heritage formed by traditions, values, and beliefs. It is also influenced by television and radio, our interpretation of laws, and social norms common to our local community. For example, Hispanics are known to be passionate people; we can thank the Telenovelas for that. We love to be social and are very involved with our family and community. This aspect of our culture is wonderful, but it also has a downside because it becomes one of the many barriers that can cause someone to remain in an abusive relationship. Victims may be fearful of judgment or of being shamed if they leave. In some cases, an abuser may even use threats of deportation to prevent a victim from seeking help.