The Impacts of Relationship Violence

Relationship Violence carries a heavy societal cost, both in terms of economic expenses and the perpetuation of violence across generations. In this article we break down four of the major areas where the IPV has a large impact.

Widespread impact

Domestic violence not only affects those who are abused but also substantially affects family members, friends, co-workers, other witnesses, and the community at large. Children, who grow up witnessing domestic violence, are among those seriously affected by this crime.

Public health impact

Intimate partner violence is a significant public health issue with many individual and societal costs. About 75% of female IPV survivors and 48% of male IPV survivors experience some form of injury related to IPV. IPV can also result in death. Data from US crime reports suggest that about 1 in 5 homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner. The reports also found that over half of female homicide victims in the United States are killed by a current or former male intimate partner.

Long-term health impact

Many other adverse health outcomes are associated with IPV. These include a range of conditions affecting the heart, muscles and bones, and digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems, many of which are chronic. Survivors can experience mental health problems such as depression and PTSD symptoms. They are at higher risk for engaging in smoking, binge drinking, and sexual risk activity. People from marginalized groups, such as those from racial and ethnic minority groups, are at higher risk for worse consequences.

Societal impact

Although the personal consequences of IPV are devastating, there are also many costs to society. The lifetime economic cost of medical services for IPV-related injuries, lost productivity from paid work, criminal justice, and other expenses is $3.6 trillion. The cost of IPV over a victim’s lifetime was $103,767 for women and $23,414 for men.

Frequent exposure to violence in the home not only predisposes children to numerous social and physical problems but also teaches them that violence is a normal way of life - therefore, increasing their risk of becoming society's next generation of victims and abusers.