Final answer:
Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to violence that occurs between individuals in a romantic or sexual relationship. It involves physical violence, sexual violence, threats and intimidation, and emotional abuse. Women are the primary victims.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to violence that occurs between individuals who maintain a romantic or sexual relationship. It is a significant social problem in the United States, and can involve physical violence, sexual violence, threats and intimidation, and emotional abuse.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, IPV often starts as emotional abuse and then escalates to other forms or combinations of abuse. Women are the primary victims of IPV, with an estimated one in five women experiencing some form of IPV in her lifetime.
IPV is characterized by violence between household or family members, including spouses, unmarried couples, cohabitating couples, and same-sex couples. It can have serious consequences and is a violation of human rights.