Understanding Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a predominant issue and a public health crisis worldwide, contributing immensely to physical and psychological consequences. Intimate partner violence has been associated with a negative range of psychosocial and physical health consequences: being fearful, cautious, aware, afraid for their children, confused, or frustrated with fear being the most predominant psychosocial outcome reported. However, psychosocial consequences of intimate partner violence encompass effects beyond fear and include both physical and mental health repercussions. For example, some physical repercussions survivors may experience are chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, multiple physical symptoms (i.e., insomnia, fatigue, fainting, shortness of breath), chronic disease (i.e., asthma and stroke), and sexually transmitted diseases.
Society can place a lot of blame or judgment around why individuals may stay in relationships when experiencing abuse. However, it is important to note that survivors of abuse often face specific barriers that prevent them from leaving an abusive relationship such as: financial resources, inability to acquire a divorce, concerns about the effects on their children, normalizing the abuse, suffering negative physical and psychological implications, and often encountering challenges in receiving social supports (i.e., shelter, financial support, legal support, therapeutic support).
Intimate partner violence is not the only relationship abuse can be prevalent in. It can show up in parent-child relationships, family dynamics, friendships, strangers, etc. Over the years, abuse in relationships has affected hundreds of thousands of individuals resulting in both physical and psychological implications. Abuse in relationships can take on many forms (such as, emotional, physical, financial, psychological, etc.). All forms of abuse are disempowering and traumatic. Some of the mental health repercussions survivors may experience are emotional loneliness, despair, guilt, confusion, fear, diminished self-esteem and identity, anger, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and suicide.
The literature highlights that there is increasing interest in exploring a more empowering lens in research with survivors who have experienced intimate partner violence. Therefore, the goal at Fortitude Wellness Journey is to provide a non-judgemental, compassionate, safe environment, to work through the traumatic experience and take back your power by utilizing a trauma-informed and empowerment approach.