1.11.1 What is Intimate Partner Violence?

Intimate partner violence includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse and controlling behaviors by an intimate partner.

It can include:

  1. Physical violence, such as slapping, hitting, kicking or beating;

  2. Sexual violence, including rape or other forms of sexual coercion;

  3. Emotional or psychological abuse, such as insults, belittling, constant humiliation, intimidation (e.g. destroying things), threats of harm or threats to take away the children; and

  4. Controlling behaviors, including isolating someone from family and friends, monitoring their movements, and restricting their access to financial resources, employment, education or medical care.

  5. Different types of intimate partner violence often coexist.

Physical intimate partner violence is often accompanied by sexual and emotional intimate partner violence. The majority of survivors who report experiencing intimate partner violence also report experiencing emotional intimate partner violence as well.

People in the LGBTQIA community also experience intimate partner violence. It can be helpful to remind LGBTQIA survivors that they never have to engage in sexual activities that they are not comfortable with nor have to ‘prove’ anything to their partner.