The Social Context of Intimate Partner Violence

According to the CDC, in the United States, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Every October, the country observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring attention to the issue and unite those who are working across the country to stop it.    Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is often thought of as an isolated or private issue. We tend to compartmentalize it as something that happens between two individuals, often behind closed doors. But in truth it is more common than one might think, and more connected to other critical issues, like lack of stable housing, poverty, systemic racism, police injustice, and more.     We'll explore these issues and connections in this new episode of the American Health Podcast. It features a dynamic conversation with three researchers and practitioners who are close collaborators: Michele Decker, a Bloomberg Associate Professor of American Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Charvonne Holliday, Assistant Professor at the Bloomberg School; and Janice Miller, a Bloomberg Fellow and licensed clinical social worker who is the Director of Programs and Clinical Services for House of Ruth Maryland. Resources: Domestic Violence Awareness Month resources If you are being abused, you can get anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visiting thehotline.org for a live chat. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. House of Ruth Maryland