Final answer:
Women, college students, individuals in separated relationships, those living in low-income areas, and transgender individuals are more likely to be physically assaulted. Intimate partner violence patterns vary by gender, and more than half of IPV cases go unreported due to fear, stigma, and shame.
Step-by-step explanation:
Those more likely to be physically assaulted include women, who are disproportionately affected by sexual harassment and domestic violence. Studies reveal that one in three women experiences domestic violence, and one in five women is assaulted during her college years. Furthermore, intimate partner violence (IPV) is more common among college students, with psychological violence being the most frequently faced type, followed by physical and/or sexual violence.
Other factors increasing the likelihood of experiencing IPV include relationship status, with separated individuals reporting higher rates, as well as socio-economic status, as IPV rates double for women in low-income areas compared to those in more affluent areas. Additionally, women ages twenty to twenty-four are at the greatest risk of non-fatal abuse. Transgender individuals face a higher risk, with IPV being 1.7 times more likely to be committed against them compared to cisgender individuals.
The patterns of IPV also differ by gender, with 57 percent of physical IPV acts against women involving physical violence only, showing the varying nature of violence and abuse. Many IPV incidents go unreported due to a mix of personal fear, stigma, and shame faced by victims, leading to situations where the abuse continues unaddressed and often escalates.