Intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV), though defined in different ways, is violence that occurs between intimate partners, It is predominantly thought of as men's violence toward women, though there is a growing concern about women's use of violence toward their male partners. The prevalence of IPV is difficult to estimate using available data because of differences in how it is defined around the world. Nevertheless, it is understood that in Aotearoa New Zealand intimate partner violence affects a large number of people. In this chapter, we explore the relationships between gender, power and intimate partner violence. We consider the impact of intimate partner violence on women, children, families and communities, and the challenges facing those working in the field of intimate partner violence.