VHA Social Work

Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) - VETERANS & PARTNERS - What Is IPV?

The physical effects of IPV include both immediate injury and chronic health issues.

Injuries:

Some injuries may leave physical marks. Other injuries may not be obvious but still have lasting effects on physical health, brain functioning, and emotional well-being and can lead to death.

• Bruises and Cuts
• Broken Bones
• Black Eyes
• Traumatic Brain Injury – symptoms can include dizziness, confusion, headache

Chronic Health Issues:

In the general population, people who have experienced IPV are also more likely to report having the following conditions:  ^{2, 3, 4, 5 *}

• Asthma
• Bladder and Kidney Infections
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Chronic Pain Syndromes
• Circulatory Conditions
• Diabetes
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Fibromyalgia
• Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Irritable Bowel Syndromes
• Joint Disease
• Migraines and Headaches

Many of these same health issues are often reported by women Veterans who have experienced IPV. ^6*

Are you experiencing these or other health concerns? 

For emergency concerns, please call 911 or go to your nearest ER.

For non-emergencies, contact your provider or send a MyHealtheVet Secure Message. You may also call the Nurse Advice Line at 1-877-252-4866.

References
1. Glass, N., Laughon, K., Campbell, J., Wolf Chair, A. D., Block, C. R., Hanson, G., … Taliaferro, E. (2008). Non-fatal strangulation is an important risk factor for homicide of women. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 35(3), 329–335. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.02.065*
2. Black, M. C. (2011). Intimate partner violence and adverse health consequences: implications for clinicians. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 5(5):428-439. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827611410265* 
3. Breiding, M. J., Black, M. C., & Ryan, G. W. (2008). Chronic disease and health risk behaviors associated with intimate partner violence—18 U.S. states/territories, 2005. Annals of Epidemiology. 18:538–544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2008.02.005*
4. Crofford, L. J. Violence, stress, and somatic syndromes. (2007). Trauma Violence Abuse. 8:299–313. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838007303196*
5. Leserman, J. & Drossman, D.A. Relationship of abuse history to functional gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms. (2007). Trauma Violence Abuse. 8:331–343. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838007303240*
6. Gerber, M. R., Iverson, K. M., Dichter, M. E., Klap, R., & Latta, R. E. (2014). Women veterans and intimate partner violence: Current state of knowledge and future directions. Journal Of Women's Health, 23(4), 302-310. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2013.4513* 

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