IPV often results in physical injuries, some of which can be life-threatening or lead to permanent disability. Common physical injuries include bruises, broken bones, head injuries, and internal damage. Long-term health issues can also arise, such as chronic pain and cardiovascular problems.

IPV is also a significant risk factor for sexual and reproductive health issues. This includes sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, and complications related to sexual assault or forced intercourse.

IPV has a profound impact on the mental health of victims. Survivors often experience depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

IPV can affect a person’s behavior and relationships where survivors may develop a substance abuse disorder, experience isolation, and have difficulty in forming healthy relationships moving forward.

IPV has wide-reaching effects on survivors such as economic costs. Survivors may lose their jobs due to physical injuries, emotional distress, or the need to escape an abusive situation. Medical bills, therapy costs, and legal expenses add to the financial toll. This can also lead to workforce issues such as absenteeism, decreased productivity, and difficulty focusing at work.

IPV can affect future generations, creating a cycle of abuse that is hard to break. Children who witness IPV are more likely to experience emotional and behavioral difficulties and may be more susceptible to becoming involved in abusive relationships as adults. This intergenerational trauma can perpetuate the cycle of abuse, making prevention and intervention crucial in breaking the pattern.

In the United States, more than three women per day, on average, are killed by their husbands or boyfriends. Women face a higher risk than men of abuse by an intimate partner, making up 84% of victims in cases involving a spouse and 86% in cases involving a boyfriend or girlfriend. Approximately three-quarters of individuals committing family violence are men.

Use this resource to help talk to your child about dating voilence:  How to Talk to Teens About Dating Violence – Futures Without Violence Futures Without Violence 

• In the U.S., 15.5 million children live in homes where partner violence has occurred in the past year, with seven million exposed to severe partner violence.
• About one in three adolescent girls in the U.S. faces physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner.
• Young women aged 16 to 24 experience the highest rates of dating violence.
• A significant majority of parents (81%) either don’t believe teen dating violence (TDV) is an issue or aren’t aware if it affects teens.
• Over 80% of high school counselors report feeling unprepared to handle incidents of abuse on campus.
• Between 50-80% of teens say they know someone in a violent relationship.
• More than half of teens (57%) report knowing peers who have been physically, sexually, or verbally abusive to a dating partner.
• One in three adolescents has experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse in a dating relationship.
• Only 33% of teens in violent relationships told anyone about the abuse, and 86% said they would turn to a friend rather than a trusted adult.