Mental health articles

different types of intimate partner violence Intimate partner violence (IPV), also known as domestic or relationship violence,
refers to hurtful or unwanted physical, sexual, and/or verbal abuse
infl icted by one partner or the other in a dating, partnered, or married relationship. Women experience IPV at a rate three to six times that of males
(Tjaden & Th oennes, 2000). IPV can damage students’ physical and emotional
safety (and can be fatal), reduce trust in the campus community, and
interrupt students’ academic progress. Silverman, Raj, Mucci, and Hathaway
(2001) found that approximately 1 in 10 female students reported being
physically abused by a date, approximately 1 in 25 reported being sexually
assaulted by a date, and approximately 1 in 20 reported being both sexually
and physically assaulted by dating partners.
IPV is used by the offender to gain power and control over the other
person, who is left with a sense of isolation and powerlessness. It tends to
occur in a cyclical fashion (typically the violence stops for periods) and
to escalate in frequency and severity over time. Factors associated with
vulnerability to partner abuse include traditional sex-role beliefs, low selfesteem,
a history of experiencing or witnessing violence in one’s family of
origin, and the seriousness of the relationship (Arriaga & Oskamp, 1999).
The risk of violence was associated with substance use, unhealthy weight
control behaviors, sexually risky behaviors, pregnancy, and suicidality
(Silverman et al., 2001).
An assessment of clients’ abuse history should cover a number of areas:
a description of the most recent incident, frequency and severity of the
violence, the mechanism of injury or abuse, the presence of fi rearms, escalating
patterns of violence, and legal actions (Kaslow, 2004). Assessments
should also determine clients’ coping strategies, social support, and access
to needed resources. Kaslow notes that many clients terminate aft er a crisis
passes, so it is important to create as much movement and provide as much
information as possible in the initial sessions. It is imperative to help clients
understand the cycle of violence (Walker, 1994), address safety concerns,
and create a safety plan. Th e client should be encouraged and empowered
to look at options and make choices. If the therapeutic relationship extends
beyond the fi rst few sessions, counseling can address deeper self-esteem
issues, increase stress-management skills, and further encourage resiliency
and social support development. Counselors should be aware that there is an
increased risk of off ender violence when a victim attempts to leave or obtain
a restraining order.
Couples counseling remains controversial when there is partner violence,
but may be requested when the victim wishes to return to the relationship.
Sometimes sequential treatment is needed, with the victim and the perpetrator
receiving separate individual or group counseling prior to the couples
intervention, which occurs only if the violence has ended. Goals include
examining the dysfunctional and coercive interactions between partners,
establishing nonviolent means of confl ict resolution, and establishing a more
equalitarian style of relating (Kaslow, 2004). Th e following case highlights
important considerations when working with couples.