HEALTHY YOU

Intimate Partner Violence

intimate partner violence—t is a common occurrence. In fact, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused. One in four women and one in seven men have been severely abused (burned, beaten, or strangled) by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Additionally, it is reported one in seven women and one in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime. NCADV reports more than 20,000 calls per day placed to domestic violence hotlines. Women between the ages of 18 and 24 are the most common domestic violence victims. Domestic violence accounts for 15 percent of all crime and transcends all communities.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), the following numbers represent intimate partner violence in Tennessee and Mississippi:

MISSISSIPPI • 39.7 percent of Mississippi women and 31.7 percent of Mississippi men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. • On a typical day, local domestic violence hotlines receive approximately 19,159 calls, approximately 13 calls every minute. • In 2018, domestic violence accounted for 20 percent of all violent crime. • 65 percent of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner; 96 percent of the victims of these crimes are female.

TENNESSEE • 39.6 percent of Tennessee women and 36.8 percent of Tennessee men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. • 43 Tennesseans were murdered by intimate partners in 2014. Firearms were used in approximately 75 percent of these homicides. • 74,023 domestic violence crimes were reported to Tennessee law enforcement in 2014. Many others went unreported. • Approximately half of all forcible rapes reported to Tennessee law enforcement in 2014 were perpetrated by intimate partners. According to the World Health Organization, the following numbers represent the global domestic violence (meaning intimate partner violence) issue: • One in three women presenting to the emergency department after a trauma has been injured by her partner. • One in six women presenting to an orthopedic fracture clinic has experienced IPV in the previous 12 months.

STORY MICHELLE JOHNS

MA, LPC-MHSP (TEMP), NCC, 200 HR E-RTY, 500 HR RYT

Did you notice how the numbers in the Mid South fall in line with the national and global numbers? What is domestic/intimate partner violence? Following is the United States Department of Health Services definition; “Domestic violence is sometimes

called intimate partner violence. It includes physical, sexual or emotional abuse, as well as sexual coercion and stalking by a current or former intimate partner. An intimate partner is a person with whom you have or had a close personal or sexual relationship. Intimate partner violence affects millions of women each year in the United States.”

It is a widespread problem in teenage dating as well as adult relationships. It occurs at every socio-economic level and in every type of relationship regardless of gender, religion or nationality. Children who witness domestic violence are impacted by the same symptoms as children who are physically abused.

Physical violence is often accompanied by emotional abuse and controlling behavior. Together, the abuses constitute a system of dominance and control. Domestic violence may result in physical injury, psychological trauma and even death. The devastating results of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.

Physical abuse includes hair pulling, biting, hitting, slapping, strangling (often called choking), punching, kicking, shaking, bumping, holding as a means of preventing access to help, shoving, pushing, smothering and burning.*

Emotional abuse includes controlling, name calling, humiliation, threatening, constant criticism, unfair accusations, monitoring of activities (with or without consent), possessive control, coercive control, isolation, degrading, belittling, controlling access to finances, and punishing.*

Stalking includes repeated and unwanted phone calls, voice messages, text messages, pages, hang-ups, emails, instant messages or any other messages through electronic media or otherwise, sending gifts and/or letters, watching and/or following from a distance, spying with audio, video and/or GPS devices, showing up places unannounced and uninvited, leaving threatening items for the victim to find and damaging the victim’s personal property.*

Abuse may be emotional, physical or both. It may be a onetime act, but most often is an ongoing situation. It leaves a long list of lasting effects often resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms include shock, sadness, fear, anxiety, numbness, frustration, confusion, anger, grief, stress and worry. The symptoms are often ongoing, becoming a chronic part of the victim’s life. The emotional stressors can lead to physical ailments such as gastrointestinal issues, headaches, heart problems and mental health conditions. Victims report difficulty sleeping, eating and participating in daily life activities. To cope with the stress, many victims begin to use alcohol and other substances including prescription drugs.

If you or someone you know needs assistance ending a violent relationship, please seek help. Below are some resources to help you. You may also email me with questions: Michelle Johns, MA, TLPC-MHSP, NCC at mjohns@mjohnscounseling.com. I am an affiliate of Christina Burns Counseling, supervised by Christina Burns, LPCMHSP, CEDS-S, CCTP.

Domestic Violence Resources: National Domestic Violence Hotline 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) Ncadv.org | Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence: mcadv.org, 601.981.9196 | Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic Violence: tncoalition.org, 800.289.9018

*The types of violence listed in this article are not allinclusive.