Intimate Partner Violence
in New Zealand
IPV is the acronym for Intimate Partner Violence. It is domestic violence by a spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner. IPV refers to any behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological or sexual harm to those in the relationship.
About IPV Abuse
70% of nonreciprocal domestic violence is initiated by women against men according to a 2007 Harvard study. To quote the Harvard Medical School research - "Almost 24% of all relationships had some violence, and half (49.7%) of those were reciprocally violent. In nonreciprocally violent relationships, women were the perpetrators in more than 70% of the cases."
So, 24% of all relationships had 'some' violence, and half of those (12%) were reciprocally violent (bidirectional, both parties are violent). The other 12% were one-way violence (one perpetrator, one victim), and 70% of this category is initiated by women towards men.
Examples of types of behaviour are listed below.
- Acts of physical violence, such as slapping, hitting, kicking and beating.
- Sexual violence, including forced sexual intercourse and other forms of sexual coercion.
- Emotional (psychological) abuse, such as insults, belittling, constant humiliation, intimidation (e.g. destroying things), threats of harm, threats to take away children.
- Controlling behaviours, including isolating a person from family and friends;monitoring their movements; and restricting access to financial resources, employment, education or medical care.
Where to get Help
You can ring 111 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.
If you would like to contact the police about a person abusing you but not urgently you can call 105 or visit your local police station. An officer will talk to you about all the options available to you.
If you're affected by family violence and have been working in a job for at least 6 months, you can get up to 10 days' family violence leave. You can also ask for short-term flexible work arrangements.
Find out more about male victims of domestic violence below:
