Domestic Violence as Intimate Partner Violence

by Kelly M. Glenn

Historically, domestic violence has described or been applied to traditional familial relationships, such as violence between:

• a husband and a wife;
• two people who have been married to each other in the past;
• two people who share a child or children in common;
• two people who cohabitate as “more than roommates;”
• two people who are siblings; and
• a parent and a child.

However, as the definition of and view about “familial relationships” have evolved, we have identified and adopted a phrase to include non-traditional relationships along with some forms of traditional familial relationships as they apply to abuse: Intimate Partner Violence.

Intimate Partner Violence is an emerging phrase that captures a broader population of victims who experience physical, sexual, and/or psychological harm by someone with whom they are in a close relationship. It is inclusive of dating partners, sexual partners, heterosexual partners, same sex partners, and non-binary partners, and it doesn’t requires common residency, marriage, or children in common; although, traditional domestic violence relationships are included in the definition. What IPV does not include is domestic violence among family members such as violence between siblings or parent on child physical abuse.

Regardless of how we refer to or label violence that occurs between two people who were or are romantically involved, we now have a more inclusive way for the criminal justice system to respond to victims and provides services, such as protective orders, emotional support, and referrals to mental health services that are specific to each victim’s needs.

Suggested Citation for this Article

Glenn, K.M., Criminal Justice Know How, LLC, October 2020, Domestic Violence as Intimate Partner Violence. https://criminaljusticeknowhow.com/domestic-violence-as-intimate-partner-violence/.