October is Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) awareness month

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 14:39:14 -0400

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) affects ALL people regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, religion, class, nationality, or other identities. IPV stems from an abusive partner's need to have control and power over their partner. It is never the survivor's fault that their partner abused them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

About 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported some form of IPV-related impact.

Over 43 million women and 38 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

About 11 million women and 5 million men who reported experiencing sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime said that they first experienced these forms of violence before the age of 18.

The CDC describes "intimate partner violence" as any of the following types of violence:

Physical violence is when a person hurts or tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or using another type of physical force.

Sexual violence is forcing or attempting to force a partner to take part in a sex act, sexual touching, or a non-physical sexual event (e.g., sexting) when the partner does not or cannot consent.

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a partner that causes fear or concern for one's own safety or the safety of someone close to the survivor.

Psychological aggression is the use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to harm another person mentally or emotionally and/or to exert control over another person.

If you have experienced or currently experiencing IPV, there is support and resources available to you at UMBC and off-campus.

The Women's Center at UMBC provides on-campus support for students experiencing or those who have survived IPV and sexual assault.

Retriever Integrated Health and i3b offer counseling and health services.

TurnAround, a local agency that provides support, counseling, and information to survivors of sexual assault, can also assist individuals in preparing for a SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination) exam if they call the 24-hour Helpline- 443-279-0379.

“We see you. We believe you. You matter” - UMBC Women's Center