Faculty Mentor

David Jackson

Major/Area of Research

Physician Assistant Studies

Description

Background. Domestic violence, intimate partner violence (IPV), or domestic abuse, is defined as a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. These behaviors include physical acts and nonphysical acts, including using (a) intimidation, (b) coercion, (c) threats, (d) isolation, and (e) finances to maintain power. Domestic abuse occurs regardless of (a) race, (b) gender, (c) age, (d) sexual orientation, and (e) socioeconomic status. The immediate effects of domestic violence manifest in the form of physical injuries, including (a) cuts, (b) bruises, (c) bitemarks, (d) concussions, and (e) sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Long term and repetitive abuse leads to chronic emotional and psychological problems, including (a) depression, (b) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and (c) alcohol and substance abuse.

Methods. A comprehensive search was conducted using Google and Google Scholar, utilizing the search terms (a) domestic abuse statistics, (b) domestic violence, and (c) intimate partner violence, for the years 2011 through 2018 and in English.

Results. Within the United States, greater than 12 million people are victims of intimate partner violence annually. Greater than 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have been victims of rape, physical violence or stalking in their lifetime resulting in a negative impact such as (a) injury, (b) fear, (c) concern for safety, or (d) needing services. An estimated 19.3% of women and 1.7% of men have been raped during their lifetimes. An estimated 43.9% of women and 23.4% of men experienced other forms of sexual violence during their lifetimes, including (a) being made to penetrate, (b) sexual coercion, (c) unwanted sexual contact, and (d) noncontact unwanted sexual experiences. An estimated 15.2% of women and 5.7% of men have been a victim of stalking during their lifetimes. Prevalence rates for emotional abuse average 80%; 40% of women and 32% of men reported expressive aggression, and 41% of women and 43% of men reported coercive control. Hispanic women (50.7%), black women (63.0%), white women (66.4%), Asian women (29.5%), and multiracial woman (91.5% ) have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Additionally, 45.3% of American Indian or Alaska Native men and approximately 40% of Black and multiracial non-Hispanic men in the U.S. reported experiencing rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Furthermore, 44% of lesbians and 61% of bisexual women experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner compared to 35% of heterosexual women. 26% of gay men and 37% of bisexual men experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner compared to 35% of heterosexual men.

Conclusion/ Recommendations. Recommendations are focused on (a) prevention of domestic violence, (b) raising awareness, specifically for men and the LGBTQ community who are victims of domestic violence, (c) decreasing victim shame, and (d) disseminating information and statistics to the public that are informative, but not misleading. Prevention begins at an early age by promoting healthy, respectful relationships in families.

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Domestic Violence

Background. Domestic violence, intimate partner violence (IPV), or domestic abuse, is defined as a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. These behaviors include physical acts and nonphysical acts, including using (a) intimidation, (b) coercion, (c) threats, (d) isolation, and (e) finances to maintain power. Domestic abuse occurs regardless of (a) race, (b) gender, (c) age, (d) sexual orientation, and (e) socioeconomic status. The immediate effects of domestic violence manifest in the form of physical injuries, including (a) cuts, (b) bruises, (c) bitemarks, (d) concussions, and (e) sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Long term and repetitive abuse leads to chronic emotional and psychological problems, including (a) depression, (b) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and (c) alcohol and substance abuse.

Methods. A comprehensive search was conducted using Google and Google Scholar, utilizing the search terms (a) domestic abuse statistics, (b) domestic violence, and (c) intimate partner violence, for the years 2011 through 2018 and in English.

Results. Within the United States, greater than 12 million people are victims of intimate partner violence annually. Greater than 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have been victims of rape, physical violence or stalking in their lifetime resulting in a negative impact such as (a) injury, (b) fear, (c) concern for safety, or (d) needing services. An estimated 19.3% of women and 1.7% of men have been raped during their lifetimes. An estimated 43.9% of women and 23.4% of men experienced other forms of sexual violence during their lifetimes, including (a) being made to penetrate, (b) sexual coercion, (c) unwanted sexual contact, and (d) noncontact unwanted sexual experiences. An estimated 15.2% of women and 5.7% of men have been a victim of stalking during their lifetimes. Prevalence rates for emotional abuse average 80%; 40% of women and 32% of men reported expressive aggression, and 41% of women and 43% of men reported coercive control. Hispanic women (50.7%), black women (63.0%), white women (66.4%), Asian women (29.5%), and multiracial woman (91.5% ) have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Additionally, 45.3% of American Indian or Alaska Native men and approximately 40% of Black and multiracial non-Hispanic men in the U.S. reported experiencing rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Furthermore, 44% of lesbians and 61% of bisexual women experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner compared to 35% of heterosexual women. 26% of gay men and 37% of bisexual men experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner compared to 35% of heterosexual men.

Conclusion/ Recommendations. Recommendations are focused on (a) prevention of domestic violence, (b) raising awareness, specifically for men and the LGBTQ community who are victims of domestic violence, (c) decreasing victim shame, and (d) disseminating information and statistics to the public that are informative, but not misleading. Prevention begins at an early age by promoting healthy, respectful relationships in families.