Final answer:
More than half of IPV goes unreported due to factors like considering it a private matter, fear of retaliation, a desire to protect the abuser, and a lack of faith in police response. Other barriers include public perception, credibility issues in court, and the potential impact on family and society. Inaccuracies in victim recall and demographic underrepresentation also contribute to underreported statistics of IPV.
Step-by-step explanation:
Accurate statistics on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) are challenging to ascertain due to the fact that it is estimated that more than half of nonfatal IPV goes unreported. There are various reasons why those who are abused might be reluctant to report the abuse. According to Catalano (2007), key reasons include considering it a private matter, with 22% of females and 39% of males citing this reason. Additionally, there is a significant fear of retaliation, with 12% of females and 5% of males worried about the repercussions of reporting. Protecting the abuser is another concern, given by 14% of females and 16% of males. Moreover, there's a belief that the police won't take any action, acknowledged by 8% of both genders. Other contributing factors include public perceptions of crime, concerns over not being believed in court, and the impact reporting can have on the family and society.
Moreover, the National Crime Victims Survey suggests that victim recall inaccuracies and the underrepresentation of certain demographic groups, such as those without phones or with transient lifestyles, can further complicate the reliability of IPV statistics. Even when abuse is reported by a third party, victims may deny it—29% do so, even in the face of police confirmation. Yet surprisingly, 19% of abusers may admit to the abuse. Abuse has a significant impact, with victims often suffering for at least two years before making an initial report.