Improving women's health and well-being by exploring the impact of emotional, physical, and sexual intimate partner violence

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades, several studies have highlighted the harmful mental and physical effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on its victims. However, more repeated measures research is needed to observe the long-term health and emotional effects of IPV. This includes how these impacts change when violence is reduced or ceases, such as when the perpetrator receives intervention. Further limitations of existing research include the lack of data on abuse frequency, severity, and impacts linked with specific forms of abuse. OBJECTIVES: This research explores the impacts on IPV victims whose abusive (ex-)partners participate in perpetrator programs (PPs). It aims to identify distinct patterns of impacts associated with different IPV types and pinpoint the most damaging IPV behaviors through repeated measures data. DESIGN: Longitudinal. METHODS: In total, 349 heterosexual women, who were (ex-)partners of men enrolled in multiple European gender-based violence PPs, completed the Impact Outcome Monitoring Toolkit questionnaire. RESULTS: The results showed that emotionally abusive behavior and-especially coercive control and online violence-were highly prevalent and had profound, alarming impacts, including self-harm and suicidal ideation. Over two-thirds of the sample reported experiencing sadness as a result of the violence endured, which was identified as a significant impact. Moreover, isolation had a common effect on emotional and physical violence. Recognizing threats and their damaging effects on victims has emerged as crucial because of their impact on victims. Finally, sexual violence, refusing to use contraception and forcing sex were the most damaging behaviors. Interestingly, our study found specific impacts of extreme abusive behavior depending on the type of abuse. CONCLUSION: This study clearly supports the statement that the impact of abusive behavior can persist after it ends, as half of the victims no longer experiencing violence at the end of the PP reported at least one impact.