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Intimate partner violence
1 979 studies
Definition
Intimate partner violence refers to behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours. This definition covers violence by both current and former spouses and partners.
The diamonds show the median value in the range of lifetime prevalence estimates reported by studies in the database. These do not represent national or regional prevalence estimates. Use the buttons below to select different forms of intimate partner violence by country/area or by WHO region. The countries/areas in each WHO region can be found here.
African Region
Region of the Americas
Eastern Mediterranean Region
European Region
South-East Asia Region
Western Pacific Region
35%
30%
30%
25%
31%
18%
The triangles show the relative importance of the potential consequences of intimate partner violence. They are based on a measure of association (median odds ratios) between intimate partner violence and the consequence in question across the relevant studies. Estimates based on a larger number of studies are likely to be more reliable.
Health problems
Poor daily functioning
Mental and neurological disorders
Pregnancy termination
Poor general health
Other
2.9x
2.7x
2.3x
1.9x
Social and behavioural problems
Subsequent violence victimization
Internalizing behaviour problems
Unplanned pregnancy
Attachment problems
Other
4.5x
4.4x
2.5x
2.1x
Impaired cognitive and academic performance
Cognitive impairment
3.1x
The triangles show the relative importance of different risk factors for intimate partner violence. They are based on a measure of association (median odds ratios) between intimate partner violence and the risk factor in question across the relevant studies. Estimates based on a larger number of studies are likely to be more reliable. Not all risk factors are found in all social and cultural contexts.
Individual (victim)
Refugee or asylum seeking
Non-traditional gender role norms
Gambling
Ethnic minority
Other
5.8x
4.2x
3.4x
3.2x
Individual (perpetrator)
Ethnic minority
Gambling
Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
Anger/hostility
Other
4.1x
3.0x
2.8x
2.7x
Relationship
Marital dissatisfaction
Reproductive coercion
Adherence to traditional gender role norms
Dominance and control by one partner
Other
3.0x
3.0x
2.3x
2.3x
Community
High rates of crime
Delinquent peers
Social norms supportive of violence
High rates of violence
Other
5.6x
2.9x
2.8x
2.5x
Societal
Exposure to war or political violence
Social norms supportive of violence
Other
2.1x
1.5x
Prevention strategies aim to stop violence from occurring in the first place. A list of these strategies appears below. Only strategies with data in the database are included. Other promising strategies may exist which will be added when outcome evaluation studies are published. Each strategy includes several different interventions across a range of effectiveness, with higher values indicating greater effectiveness. Click on each strategy name to see the intervention effectiveness studies.
Challenging social normsMicrofinance/gender equality trainingMulticomponent programmesReducing alcohol use and accessCommunication/relationship skills trainingDating violence school programmesCommunity mobilisationClinical enquiry and referralHome visitingBystander intervention programmeEducational interventionSchool sexual abuse awareness programmes
Response strategies aim to reduce the immediate and long-term consequences for victims of violence and/or offer treatment for perpetrators of violence. A list of these strategies appears below. Only strategies with data in the database are included. Other promising strategies may exist which will be added when outcome evaluation studies are published. Each strategy includes several different interventions across a range of effectiveness, with higher values indicating greater effectiveness. Click on each strategy name to see the intervention effectiveness studies.
Examples of strategies and interventions
This section contains examples of strategies and specific interventions with some evidence for effectiveness. They have been chosen for illustrative purposes, and their inclusion in Violence Info does not mean that WHO endorses them.
Intervention with Microfinance for AIDS and Gender Equity (IMAGE)
This programme targets women living in poor rural households, and combines a microfinance programme with training and skills-building sessions on preventing HIV infection, and on gender norms, cultural beliefs, …
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SASA!
SASA! is a community mobilization intervention to prevent intimate partner violence and reduce HIV-risk behaviours. SASA! means “now” in Kiswahili and is an acronym for the phases of the approach: Start, Awareness, …
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Safe Dates
A school-based prevention programme for middle and high school students designed to stop or prevent victimization and perpetration among youth involved in a dating relationship.
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Main survey instruments
This section describes some of the survey instruments most widely used to measure the prevalence of intimate partner violence.
WHO Multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence against women questionnaire
To collect valid data on the prevalence of domestic violence against women, health outcomes, and women's responses.
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Demographic and Health Survey Domestic Violence Module
To collect data on physical, psychological/emotional and sexual intimate partner violence against women.
Note: domestic violence refers here to intimate partner violence against …
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Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2)
To measure violence against a partner in a dating or marital relationship.
See detail