INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: 2 CONTACT HOURS

Course overview

Intimate partner violence (IPV), also called domestic violence, is an ongoing, debilitating experience of physical, psychological, and/or sexual abuse involving force or threat of force from a current or former partner associated with increased isolation from the outside world and limited personal freedom and accessibility to resources. A victim of IPV is anyone who has been injured or emotionally or sexually abused by a person with whom she/he has, or has had, a primary relationship. Domestic or intimate partner violence is a significant public health concern. The problem consists of case identification, a willingness to break the cycle of violence, as well as limited state resources to assist victimized individuals. Nurses are in a unique position to identify individuals of intimate partner violence and to take the first step to help break the cycle by helping the individual get the referral and care needed. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Define the five main categories of intimate partner violence. 2. Explain why health care workers may use the term "survivor," instead of "patient" or "victim," to refer to the individual experiencing intimate partner violence. 3. Identify negative health behaviors that are commonly associated with intimate partner violence. 4. List risk factors for victimization and perpetration. 5. Discuss the cycle of violence and how health care providers can attempt to break the cycle.