CPANB / APCNB 15 All of us have a role to play in ending intimate partner violence. IPV is not an individual, private or family matter. IPV hurts everyone. If you know or suspect it is happening, it is important that you help. Get involved in community events that target the issue. IPV is deliberate abuse and intimidation by one person against another in a relationship. It happens when one person uses violence or threats that cause fear, physical or psychological harm. It may be a single act or a series of acts that form a pattern of abuse. The majority of people who are abusive toward their partner or former partner are not violent outside of their intimate relationship. They are often good colleagues and nice neighbours, which makes it difficult to identify them. 7 However, there are signs if you know what to look for: • Do they have unexplained bruises, cuts, marks or scars? • Do they constantly criticize their partner? • Do they belittle their partner’s relationships or forbid them to see family or friends? • Do they control their partner’s activities, what they wear, make fun of their physical appearance or sexual performance? • Do they threaten suicide if their partner were to ever leave, or use their children to get to their partner?
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