Understand the Signs and Symptoms of Intimate Partner Violence

October marks Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Awareness Month, also called National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the ACS is providing education and resources each week to support surgeons and care teams. This week looks at the signs and symptoms of IPV, which are like other physical and mental health issues. However, the psychological effects of IPV make it difficult to identify when a sign or a symptom is related.

Importantly, IPV does not manifest only as physical abuse and can have lingering physical, mental, and emotional effects on victims. Individuals can experience:

• Poor physical health
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder
• Feelings of guilt or shame
• Increased risk of substance abuse
• Cardiac symptoms such as hypertension and chest pain
• Chronic disorders and chronic pain
• Gastrointestinal problems due to stress
• Reproductive problems
• Unsafe sexual behavior
• Low self-esteem
• Self-harm and suicide
• Inability to trust others
• Difficulty maintaining a job

Recognizing signs, symptoms, and types of abuse when experiencing IPV might cause victims feelings of shame, disbelief, and/or fear. Being informed about IPV is one step to take today that can help break the cycle of violence.

• Explore the common signs of abusive behavior and types of abuse.
• If you find yourself having a conversation with someone about IPV, there are resources available for you to engage in supportive and helpful discussion. Check out National Domestic Violence Hotline’s tips for talking to coworkers and how to talk about relationship abuse.
• To learn more about identifying IPV in your patients, explore the ACS IPV Toolkit

The resources below offer information and perspectives on understanding IPV across cultures, ethnicity, race, and gender:

• Addressing Cultural Differences to Support Victims of Gender-based Violence (podcast)
• What we know about intimate partner violence in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities (article)
• How Domestic Violence Varies by Ethnicity (article)
• Cultural Differences in Personality and Aggressive Behavior in Intimate Partner Violence Offenders: A Comparison of English and Spanish Offenders (article)
• Understanding Gender and Intimate Partner Violence from an International Perspective (article)

Get Help Today

If you or someone you know is experiencing IPV, consider using these resources for support:

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline—Support is available 24/7. Call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY. If you are unable to speak safely, you can log onto www.thehotline.org or text START to 88788
• An interactive guide to safety planning
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline, 24/7, confidential and free, 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or via chat
• National Parent Helpline, Monday through Friday, 12:00 pm–9:00 pm CT, 1-855-427-2736