VHA Social Work

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Assistance Program

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VA'S COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE?

The VA’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program is committed to helping Veterans, their partners and also VA staff who are impacted by IPV. If you or someone you know could be experiencing and/or using IPV – Help is available.

What Is Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)?

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans. The term "intimate partner violence" describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.

Emotional IPV
Emotional IPV is when a person tries to hurt his/her partner’s self-worth. It is common for emotional IPV to begin before other types of IPV.

Examples include:

• Name calling, putting you down
• Controlling your money or spending
• Keeping you from friends and family
• Bullying, stalking
• Controlling where you go or what you wear

Physical IPV
Physical IPV is when a person tries to hurt his/her partner by using physical force.

Examples include:

• Hitting, slapping
• Choking, biting
• Shoving, kicking
• Restraining, hair-pulling

Sexual IPV
Sexual IPV is when a person forces or tries to convince his/her partner to engage in sexual activities when the other partner does not want to or is unable to consent (for example, when someone is impacted by alcohol or drugs).

Threats of Violence
Threats of violence are ways to cause fear through words, actions, or weapons to harm the partner, their possessions, their pets, or their loved ones. Some people experience only one of these forms of violence while others may experience more than one. IPV can be a single event or can last for many years. No matter what, no one deserves to be treated this way.

What Are the Effects of IPV?

The impact of intimate partner violence is far-reaching and severe. Consequences and outcomes of IPV can affect:

Mental Health

• Sadness
• Feeling "on edge"
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble relaxing
• Trouble sleeping
• Nightmares
• Feelings of shame or guilt
• Blaming yourself for what happened

Physical Health

• Pain
• Headaches
• Pregnancy complications
• Stomach problems
• Bruises/cuts
• Broken bones
• Fatal injuries
• Female health problems

Social Health

• Avoiding new relationships
• Feeling uncomfortable or unsafe in relationships
• Money problems
• Difficulties trusting people
• Pulling away or isolating from friends and family
• Homelessness
• Job issues

What Can I Do If I Have Experienced IPV?

- The most important thing is YOUR SAFETY and the safety of your children.
- If you don’t feel safe at home right now, you can seek help IMMEDIATELY by calling 911.

If you do feel safe now, but are concerned about the future, there are steps you can take to increase your safety:

• Talk to the Intimate Partner Violence Coordinator at your VA
• Talk to any of your VA providers about IPV or any safety concerns.
• Tell your trusted friends and family about what is going on and come up with a safe place you could go if needed.

Create a safety plan with your provider, your plan can include:

• Safe places you can go.
• Saving money in a safe place.
• Phone numbers and addresses for family and friends.
• Shelters and crisis hotline numbers.

It may be hard to talk about these experiences. It is normal to get upset when discussing IPV or to worry about what others will think. Remember that it is not your fault. If you would like to speak with someone in private, VA has services and people who can help you. You are not alone. Talk to any of your VA providers.

Publications:

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Assistance Program - Flyer with Safety Planning Tips (PDF)		Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Assistance Program - Spanish- Flyer with Safety Planning Tips (PDF)
Prevent Intimate Partner Violence Handout (PDF)

Resources:

The following phone numbers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It may be helpful to memorize them in case of emergency.

• Call 911
• National Domestic Violence HotlineLink: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) responds to calls 24/7, every day of the year to offer confidential crisis intervention (www.thehotline.org)
• National Sexual Assault HotlineLink: 1-800-656-4673 offers free, confidential, live help for sexual assault victims and their friends and families. Provided by RAINNLink will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site., the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (www.rainn.org)

The organizations and information below may also be helpful:

• Women Veterans Healthcare provides information about help for women Veterans who experienced IPV.
• National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - Be Safe Prevent Intimate Partner Violence
• National Center for PTSD, IPV information
• Make the Connection - Relationship Problems | Symptoms & Treatment | Military Veterans
• VA Blog - Help End Domestic Violence
• Domestic Shelters.org Site offers a searchable directory of domestic violence service providers in the U.S.
• Futures without Violence Site provides programs and policies to help those working to end violence against women and children around the world.

Link will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site.  

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