Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
CSTS | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 | www.CSTSonline.org

Helping Victims of Intimate Partner
Violence in Military Populations
Intimate partner violence (IPV),to homicide. IPV can also involve
Intimatepartner
violence(IPV),
also
calledalso called domestic violence, isdirect harm or threats towarddefined as violent or aggressive
children and pets. Nearly 1 in 4
domestic violence, is defined as violent
behavior from a current or previous
women and 1 in 7 men in the U.S.
or aggressive behavior from a current orpartner. Physical violence, sexual
report severe physical violence frompreviouspartner.
violence, stalking, and psychologicalan intimate partner in their lifetime.
aggression are all forms of IPV. These
The impact of IPV on victims
behaviors may occur in a single
depend on the duration, frequency,
episode or recur over time. IPV includes both subtle andand severity of these behaviors.
direct behaviors, ranging in severity from mild altercations
Adverse Effects of IPV
IPV frequently causes long-lasting consequences for thevictim and for children that are exposed, even indirectly, tothe behavior. Adverse effects may include:■ Diminished physical health and well-being■ Depression and other mental health problems■ Increased use of alcohol and tobacco■ Decreased ability to parent effectively■ Decreased work performance■ Sleep problems■ Changes in eating (weight gain or loss)■ Difficulty concentrating■ Isolating from family and friends
Understanding IPV Behaviors
Perpetrators of IPV often blame victims for causing
abusive behavior and may manipulate people and situations
that can leave victims feeling confused and isolated. If yourpartner is engaging in the behaviors below, you may beexperiencing IPV:
■ Tries to control your time and daily activities■ Tries to control or threatens to restrict your access tomoney, friends or family, school, or your job■ Forces you to have sex■ Threatens and/or humiliates you in front of others■ Damages your belongings■ Controls your access to and use of contraception■ Threatens to have you reported for made up crimes■ Repeatedly contacts you without your consent■ Reads your email or accesses your social media accounts

without your permission■ Blames you for things that are not your fault

How to Get Help
Victim shame, stigma surrounding IPV, fear of
retribution by the perpetrator, and financial consequences
can serve as barriers to seeking help. Even if you are notcertain that you are experiencing IPV, it can be helpful tocontact a trusted resource to share your experiences and tolearn more. The recommendations and resources below canhelp you feel safer and get connected with experts:■ Call 911 if you are in immediate physical danger■ Seek medical care right away if you have been abused■ Talk with someone you trust■ If you plan to go to law enforcement, consider asking afriend to accompany you■ Call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 800-799SAFE to find a victim advocate near you. Advocates
can help address areas of concern, such as your safety
and the safety of your children and pets, your job, andfinances■ Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-6564673 for help following an assault■ Call the National Dating Abuse Helpline at 866-3319474 for help following dating violence■ Consider reporting to victim advocate services:

This is restricted reporting, which allows
individuals to get medical and counseling services
from the military Family Advocacy Program
without launching an investigation or alerting theindividual’s military command■ Consider reporting to police or military law
enforcement:
x This is unrestricted reporting, which initiates acriminal investigationx■ The Family Advocacy Program (FAP) works toprovide for the safety of IPV victims and offers
treatment services
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/familyrelationships/family-life/preventing-abuse-neglect/thefamily-advocacy-program■ Victim Advocates can be a confidential resource andadvise on reporting options, staying safe, getting
medical services, and finding counselinghttps://www.militaryonesource.mil/familyrelationships/relationships/relationship-challenges-anddivorce/how-to-find-help-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse■ Military OneSource can help with a Military

Protective Order (MPO), taking away the service
member’s weapon and mandating the abuser cannot
enter the victim’s workplace. MPOs are given byjudges, magistrates, or other legal authorities
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/■ Consider counseling services through Military

OneSource

Specific Branch Resources
For more details about the resources and services
offered through your specific branch, consult the following
resources:■ Navy: Fleet and Family Support Program
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program.html■ Army: U.S. Army Family Advocacy Program
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/
family-life/preventing-abuse-neglect/the-familyadvocacy-program■ Marines: Marine Corps Community Services, Family
Advocacy Program
https://www.usmc-mccs.org/services/support/familyadvocacy/■ Coast Guard: U.S. Coast Guard Family Advocacy
Programhttps://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/AssistantCommandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/HealthSafety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-LifeCG-111/Family-Advocacy-Program/
Additional Resources■ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Intimate
Partner Violence website:
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html■ Office on Women’s Health, Department of Health andHuman Services
https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/
domestic-violence/signs-domestic-violence■ World Health Organization

http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/
violence/VAW_infographic.pdf?ua=1

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org