Intimate Partner Violence is a very real and very current problem that is plaguing the society, however, it seems that not many people have knowledge about it.
Intimate Partner Violence or IPV (as referred later on) is perhaps one of the most common types of violence experienced in relations and it covers everything from physical to emotional to sexual and more.
There is no limit or restriction as to where it can happen or to whom, spread across races, cultures, countries, genders and socioeconomic gaps, IPV can happen to practically every person on this earth.
However, sadly a lot of people are not able to recognize when they are a victim of IPV and many dismiss as just harmless possessiveness or jealousy on their partner’s behalf.
Although mostly women and children are victims of IPV, men too can fall under the trap of IPV and are not immune to it.
What All Comes Under Intimate Partner Violence:
First, let us understand what all comes under IPV. One thing to keep in mind is that at the end of it, IPV is a major form of abuse and abuse doesn’t necessarily have to leave physical bruises.
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That is why one must know that there exist different forms of IPV like:
1. Physical Abuse:
The most common and widely known form of abuse, physical abuse means when your partner hits or touches you in a harmful manner that can lead to injuries both minor and major.
Physical abuse can include hitting, slapping, kicking, throwing objects that their partner with intent to hurt and even cutting and more.
2. Sexual Abuse:
Perhaps as well known as physical abuse but still kept quiet about is sexual abuse. In India and few other countries, many don’t even believe that sexual abuse can occur within a marriage.
But intercourse or any sexual act if done without consent and consciousness is called sexual abuse and is perhaps worse than even physical abuse.
3. Emotional Abuse:
The third kind of IPV is perhaps not only bad but also the most dangerous as it can make the partner compliant and submissive and make them think that they deserve this sort of treatment.
Emotional abuse can include dominating and controlling behavior, cutting one off from their support groups like friends and family, showing untoward jealousy and possessiveness.
What You Think Is Possessiveness Might be IPV:
A lot of the times partners excuse away their significant other’s behavior as just them being possessive and jealous. Nothing serious about it.
And while true, a little bit of possessiveness and jealousy in a relationship can actually be good, as it shows care and want for the other person, it must be within a limit.
Excessive shows of possessiveness like checking your phone, keeping tabs on you throughout the day, not letting you take your own decisions independent of the relationship and more are unhealthy signs of IPV and not good possessiveness.
One thing to keep in mind here is not to excuse this behavior away. Face it head on and recognize that your partner might be showing unhealthy signs of IPV and do something about it.
Either ask for support from friends and family, or try counseling if your partner is ready, and police authorities must be contacted ASAP if the situation worsens.
There are also a number of NGO and women’s groups that offer a lot of different kinds of services to victims of IPV.
Image Credits: Google Images
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