Definition
- Intimate partner violence (IPV): any form of physical, psychological, or sexual violence that is carried out by a current or former intimate partner who may or may not be a cohabitant
- Domestic violence: a broad term for any form of violence committed by one member of a household against another, and can include IPV, older adult abuse, and child maltreatment
Management
- Ensure privacy
- Nonjudgmental, empathic, open-ended questions
- Avoid pressuring to disclose abuse or report or leave partner
- Assess immediate safety; determine emergency safety plan, provide referrals for resources as needed (eg, shelters, domestic violence agency, mental health)
Warning
Advise all individuals experiencing IPV to develop a safety plan for leaving.