Intimate partner violence is a concerning matter that disproportionately affects women from all over the globe. While some women are more vulnerable to IPV; research has shown that women of all ages, social class, economic class, ethnicities, and education suffer from IPV.
What is intimate partner violence?
IPV is any form of violence that transpires between a current or past intimate relationship. It can take several forms, and can affect mental and physical health, both. In some cases, the violence might be serious enough to also jeopardize the life of the person suffering from it.
People who are victims of IPV have their entire wellbeing at stake. IPV not only causes mental health problems from the trauma sustained, including PTSD, depression etc. that requires assistance of the Best Psychiatrist in Lahore, it also gravely impacts their physical health.
They are at risk of developing problems with their heart alongside digestive, musculoskeletal, nervous, and reproductive health issues. Not only do the victims have to suffer during the relationship, but even after it ends, it may leave its marks in the form of chronic physical ailments and complicated mental health problems.
Different types of IPV
Violence is often misunderstood as being solely physical in nature. While it is certainly one aspect, however, there are different forms that violence, especially intimate partner violence, can take. Different types of IPV include:
Behavioral problems
The behavior of the perpetuator of the violence is that of controlling their victim. To weaken the victim, and to retain their hegemony over the relationship, they then isolate the victim, not allowing them to gel with their friends and family.
They might also restrict the victim’s mobility and movement. Perpetrators of the violence also tend to control the finances, as to further isolate the victim, increasing their hold, and to ensure that the victim is not strong enough to get out of the relationship.
Emotional and psychological violence
Emotional and psychological also has a powerful impact on the life of the victim. It involves them being at the receiving end of verbal abuse. It can be taunts, swearing, gaslighting, playing mind games etc.
Furthermore, to cause more psychological harm to the victim, they disturb their mental peace by causing them threats and making intimidating remarks.
Physical violence
Physical violence can take many forms, including beating, hitting, kicking, slapping, using objects for form. The form of physical violence may vary in intensity as well.
Sexual violence
Sexual violence is composite of all sexual acts that do not involve the consent of the partner. They are made to partake in sex, penetrative or otherwise, intimate touching, asking them to say or write things that they do not want to do. Essentially, forcing them into sexual acts of any sort construe as sexual violence.
Stalking
Another criminal activity that comes under the ambit of intimate partner violence is stalking. It is applicable in cases when it’s the ex-partner is giving the victim unwanted attention, is following them everywhere, and doing activities that harm their sense of safety.
Helping people with intimate partner violence
Emotional support
It is crucial that you offer the victims unconditional emotional support. Don’t judge them for living with the perpetrator as long as they did, but instead, offer them a shoulder to cry on. Help them when they are scared and lonely.
Financial and logistical support
If the victim is starting their life anew, help them any and everything; jobs, getting a house, grocery run, just support them.
Getting medical attention
Considering what the victim has been through, there being visible and invisible scars is pertinent. While the physical health problems can be addressed, it is the mental health problems that may get ignored and need just as much attention.
Hence, it is pertinent that they be given access to a psychiatrist at Shamshad Aslam Uppal Hospital so their mental health problems can be addressed is vital.
