Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence refers to a specific form of domestic violence that refines the relationship status of the parties involved to include spouses and short-term and long-term relationships, both heterosexual and homosexual. Although the phrase intimate partner violence is often used interchangeably with domestic violence, the latter term includes additional types of relationships between the involved parties such as children, family members, or any member of a household (even roommates). Historically, this violence has included acts such as homicide, rape, robbery, and assault; however, the definition of intimate partner violence and the various acts encompassed therein have been refined and expanded over time. Broadly speaking, intimate partner violence can take the form of any of the aforementioned physical and sexual acts as well as nonphysical ...