This research study illustrates how intimate partner violence against women is a global public health problem with many short-term and long-term effects on the physical and mental health of women and their children. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for its elimination in target 5.2. To monitor governments' progress towards SDG target 5.2, this study aimed to provide global, regional, and country baseline estimates of physical or sexual (or both) violence against women by male intimate partners. Included studies were conducted between 2000 and 2018, representative at the national or sub-national level and included women aged 15 years or older, and used act-based measures of physical or sexual (or both) intimate partner violence. The findings indicated that globally, 27% of ever-partnered women aged 15–49 years are estimated to have experienced physical or sexual (or both) intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Also, 13% experienced it in the previous year before they were surveyed. This violence starts early, affecting adolescent girls and young women, with 24% of women aged 15–19 years and 26% of women aged 19–24 years having already experienced intimate partner violence at least once since the age of 15.

Families experiencing poverty and economic pressure have increased risk for child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, and acts of violence by youth. This article highlights several programs that reduce rates of family and child poverty, including TANF, but it notes how TANF policies in particular have the greatest economic security policy discrepancies across states despite research that shows policies that increase access to money protect against family and youth violence. The article discusses research that indicates work requirements in TANF and other evidence-based interventions may protect against violence by increasing individual and family resources. However, one-size-fits-all work requirements may have unanticipated negative effects, such as an increase in sanctions that contribute to unemployment or under-employment when an individual cannot meet set requirements or leaving single mothers with less time to care for their children, which may increase the risk of child maltreatment.

This article identifies findings from a recent study which found that witnessing parental domestic violence can increase a child’s risk of depression and other mental health issues. The study included more than 17,700 Canadian adults who took part in a national survey on mental health. 22.5% of children who were exposed to chronic parental domestic violence during childhood had major depression at some point in their life, 15% had an anxiety disorder, and nearly 27% had a substance abuse disorder. In comparison, the rates among people with no history of violence between their parents were 9%, 7% and 19%, respectively.

This Mayo Clinic blogpost illustrates ways to recognize domestic violence in its many forms, including emotional, sexual, and physical abuse and threats of abuse. Further, the blogpost presents the cycle of an abusive situation, why the survivor should not take the blame in an abusive relationship, and challenges for special populations, and offers survivors tips on how to create a safety plan and where to find help.

This blogpost presents a broad set of information on what domestic violence is, how to recognize the warning signs of abuse, how to seek help for oneself or a loved one, and ways we can all work towards preventing intimate partner violence. There is also discussion on the short- and long-term impacts of domestic violence on physical health and the effect on a survivor’s mental health, screening tools, and ways to assess risk for further abuse. Special attention is paid toward understanding the impact of domestic violence on minority populations, LBGTQ+ people, and immigrants.

Women experiencing poverty are more likely to face intimate partner violence (IPV), poor health, and stigma, and IPV survivors are overrepresented among those participating in TANF. This research article explores the impact of TANF on women’s wellbeing through in-depth, semi-structured interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic with 13 women who had TANF experience in three U.S. states. The article concludes with findings to demonstrate how increasing TANF cash benefits and other cash transfers for those experiencing poverty, adopting solely state funded TANF programs, increasing funding for TANF administration, addressing TANF stigma and racialized narratives, and allowing optional child support participation or a larger “pass-through” of child support are important steps toward making TANF more protective against IPV.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting applications for grants for the Domestic Violence Prevention (DVP) program. This IHS grant supports development and expansion of DVP programs by incorporating prevention efforts that address social, spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of victims. The grants facilitate integration of culturally appropriate practices and trauma-informed services for tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations (UIO) serving the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. This IHS program promotes prevention efforts that address domestic and sexual violence, including sexual exploitation/human trafficking, Missing and Murdered AI/AN people, and child maltreatment. Applications are due by February 2, 2022.

This U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women web page includes national hotline numbers and local resources for coalitions that address domestic violence and sexual assault and advocate for their survivors. The local resources are organized by state and territory and include some tribal coalitions.

(See also Resources on "intimate partner violence" in the Resource Library)

Futures Without Violence provides this compendium of resources for survivors, communities, and care providers to respond to domestic and intimate partner violence and to create safe and supportive spaces during COVID-19. The resources include phone numbers for hotlines (including the National Domestic Violence Hotline), tips to increase personal safety, and guidance for harm reduction and health. Available materials highlight specific resources and support services for survivors, children, families, and American Indian/Alaska Native communities. The listing also shares ways to address domestic violence in the workplace and what employers can do to support their employees who are experiencing violence.

(See also Resources on "intimate partner violence" in the Resource Library)

This research report is a systematic assessment of how Allegheny County, Pennsylvania has responded to intimate partner violence (IPV) by improving interagency coordination and responding more effectively and efficiently. Drawing on data and interviews conducted from June 2018 to December 2020, the report identifies three priority areas: promote the prioritization of IPV among county leaders for a set time period to support agency mobilization; shift policy to focus on victim experiences, rather than solely center on case outcomes; and reestablish IPV-focused fatality reviews.

(See also Resources on "domestic violence" in the Resource Library)