In fact, it is estimated that one in four teens are physically, emotionally, and sexually abused by their boyfriends. Many teen involved in such a situation often do not realize they are victims of abuse and mistake it for love. A recent National Crime Victimization survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice found that women were six times more likely than men to experience violence at the hands of an intimate partner. The following provides additional information on intimate partner violence as well as links to related sites. Intimate partner violence is typically defined as abuse that is committed by a current or past spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend regardless of whether or not they are cohabitants.
Abuse can take many forms ranging from physical and sexual assault to emotional or verbal abuse.
Intimate partner violence can occur in both heterosexual and same-sex relationships. Today, there are a variety of terms used to describe intimate partner violence. Violence, in general, does not discriminate and spans all racial, gender, age and economic boundaries. Research does show, however, that women are five to eight times more likely than men to be abused by an intimate partner are. A recent National Crime Victimization survey found those women ages 19 to 29 are more likely that other women to be victims of intimate partner violence.