Intimate Partner Violence
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Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in which one person seeks to dominate and control another, most often in an intimate relationship. This control can take many forms, including physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, sexual, and economic abuse.
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Believing survivors when they disclose abuse is the first step in helping to keep them safe.
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Learn more about IPV below, and check out our webinars by becoming a PSM member for FREE.
IPV in Maryland
38
Marylanders lost their lives due to intimate partner violence in 2023
74%
of those deaths were caused
by a gun
40%
of victims were black women, meaning that black women are dying 5x their proportion of the state's population
10%
of the victims deaths (30) were children
Read more on the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence 36th Annual Memorial Service Brochure
Domestic Violence is physical abuse, like hitting, kicking, strangulation (choking), biting, etc.
Abuse can take many forms, each designed to exert power and control over another person. It is important to recognize that abuse is not always physical—many forms of abuse can be just as harmful.
Myth or Fact #1
Anyone can be a victim or a perpetrator of domestic violence.
Anyone can experience domestic violence. There is no specific personality type or characteristic that makes someone more likely to be abused. Abusers come from all backgrounds, identities, and walks of life. While their behaviors may vary, all abusers seek to gain power and control over their victim.
Myth or Fact #2
Partnership Connection
Abusers target a person’s head, neck, or face more than anywhere else on the body. Head injuries may occur if your partner:
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Hits you in the face or head
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Puts their hands around your neck or tries to choke or strangle you
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Makes you fall and hit your head
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Shakes you severely
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Has done something that made you pass out, lose consciousness, or have trouble breathing
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You can learn more about Traumatic Brain Injury right here on our website.
