Final answer:
Over half of intimate partner violence (IPV) cases go unreported due to various factors such as regarding abuse as a private matter, fear of retaliation, protection of the abuser, and lack of faith in police action. These factors contribute to underreporting, which impacts the accuracy of IPV statistics and the effectiveness of prevention and intervention strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The issue of underreporting in intimate partner violence (IPV) is complex and multifaceted. Studies indicate that more than half of such incidents go unreported for various reasons. A National Criminal Victims Survey highlights several factors why individuals may choose not to involve the police, including considering the matter a private one, fear of retaliation, a wish to protect the abuser, or a belief that police will not take effective action. Furthermore, abuse not only has a substantial impact on families but also on society at large, contributing to a broad social and economic toll.
Abuse can significantly affect the victim's physical and mental health, potentially leading to higher healthcare costs and reduced productivity. The reluctance to report abuse also undermines the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in addressing and preventing future incidents. Furthermore, IPV tends to remain hidden when victims deny the abuse even when questioned by authorities, sometimes due to the same reasons they do not report it. With a high percentage of cases going unreported, accurate statistics are challenging to obtain, making it difficult to develop comprehensive prevention strategies.