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Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program

The VA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) is committed to helping Veterans, their partners, and also VA staff who are impacted by Intimate Partner Violence. If you or someone you know could be experiencing and/or using IPV – help is available.

What is Intimate Partner Violence? 

Intimate partner violence occurs when a current or former intimate partner (for example, boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse) harms, threatens to harm, or stalks their partner/former partner.

Emotional IPV

Emotional IPV is when a person tries to hurt their partner emotionally and mentally. It is common for emotional IPV to begin before other types of IPV.

Examples include:

  • Name calling, putting you down.
  • Controlling your money or spending.
  • Keeping you from friends and family.
  • Bullying, stalking.
  • Controlling where you go or what you wear.

Physical IPV

Physical IPV is when a person tries to hurt their partner by using physical force.

Examples include:

  • Hitting 
  • Slapping
  • Choking
  • Biting
  • Shoving
  • Kicking
  • Restraining 
  • Hair-pulling

Sexual IPV

Sexual IPV is when a person forces or tries to convince their partner to engage in sexual activities when the other partner does not want to, or is unable to consent (for example, when someone is impacted by alcohol or drugs). 

Threats of violence

Some people experience only one of these forms of violence, while others may experience more than one. IPV can be a single event or can last for many years. No matter what, no one deserves to be treated this way. 

What Are the Effects of IPV

Mental health

  • Sadness
  • Feeling “on edge”
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Trouble relaxing
  • Being stressed out
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Nightmares
  • Feelings of shame or guilt
  • Blaming yourself for what happened

Physical health

  • Pain
  • Headaches
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Stomach problems
  • Bruises/cuts
  • Broken bones
  • Fatal injuries
  • Female health problems

Social health

  • Avoiding new relationships
  • Feeling uncomfortable or unsafe in relationships
  • Money problems
  • Difficulties trusting people
  • Pulling away or isolating from friends and family
  • Homelessness
  • Job issues

Human Trafficking

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Social Work Program Office recognizes that human trafficking can happen to anyone, including Veterans, their families, and caregivers.

What is Human Trafficking?

Labor Trafficking

Labor Trafficking is when a person is forced into working against their will, often through threats or tricks in industries, for example, fishing industries, salons, domestic work, restaurant or food service, construction, and agriculture. It includes the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
Sex Trafficking

Sex Trafficking is when a person is forced into providing sexual services for things of value, for example, money, housing, or drugs, in hotels, residential brothels, escort services, and strip clubs. It includes the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age.
How human trafficking affects Veterans

Human trafficking is more likely to happen in communities where needs are greater.

Veterans' experience of human trafficking is still being understood. However, Veterans could be at a higher risk of experiencing human trafficking than the general population. This could be because of higher rates of the following risk-factors:  

  • Homelessness or unstable housing
  • Substance use
  • Mental health concerns
  • Isolation
  • Poor social support
  • Food insecurity
  • Physical or sexual abuse history
  • Justice involvement

Veterans from the following historically marginalized communities may also be vulnerable to experiencing trafficking:

  • Women
  • Racial and ethnic minorities
  • Sexual minorities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer)
  • Individuals with disabilities
What to do if you or someone you know is being trafficked

If you or someone you know has been or is currently being trafficked, you can get help and support. Please consider the following resources:

VA Resources

VA offers help and support to Veterans experiencing human trafficking. Types of help available at the VA include:
 

  • Individual counseling
  • Group therapy
  • Homeless programs
  • Connection to community-based resources

Community Resources

Many People Within VA Can Help You Get Services

Contact our Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program at VHACHSIPVAPCOORDINATORS@va.gov.

VA employees who are impacted by IPV can contact their Employee Assistance Program.

VA can provide community referrals for things such as legal advice, shelters, and support groups.

Talk to your primary care provider and they can refer you to a mental health specialist such as a social worker or psychologist.

October is National Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness Month

The VA cares about Veterans affected by Domestic Violence (DV) and IPV and recognizes that DV and IPV is a serious yet, preventable public health problem that may disproportionately affect Veterans. To help address the impact IPV has on Veterans, family members, and VA employees the IPVAP recommends and promotes the importance of reviewing intimate partner relationships for health and safety.

Additional Resources

The Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) invites Veterans, caregivers, employees, and the community to learn about IPVAP and other VA programs that intersect with Intimate Partner Violence. 

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