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Intimate Partner Violence

Elizabeth C. Halloran, PhD
Tiffany Fay Ho, MD, MPH

American Family Physician. 2025;112(1):62-71.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

This clinical content conforms to AAFP criteria for CME.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant and preventable public health problem defined as behavior by a romantic or sex partner that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm. Although individuals of all gender identities experience IPV, women, especially those of reproductive age, are more likely to experience severe IPV. Patients who are from a rural area or are members of a historically marginalized population, such as immigrants, refugees, or the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community, also have increased risk of IPV. Multiple negative physical and mental health outcomes are associated with IPV. Guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force and other organizations recommend screening women of reproductive age for IPV and recommend against universal screening. Universal education bypasses the need for disclosure of IPV and promotes normalizing conversations about IPV using nonjudgmental language while maintaining privacy and prioritizing resource provision. Universal education focuses on a patient-centered, trauma-informed approach that provides brief education, support, and referrals to services as desired; individuals can disclose IPV on their own terms.

ELIZABETH C. HALLORAN, PHD, is the director of behavioral sciences at the St. Vincent Family Medicine Residency Program, Bon Secours Mercy Health, Toledo, Ohio.

TIFFANY FAY HO, MD, MPH, FAAFP, is an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Address correspondence to Elizabeth C. Halloran, PhD, at echalloran@mercy.com.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

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