Roselyn Rivas
WMS 250
Professor Schwartz
March 01, 2025
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a disturbing and worrisome widespread issue that
affects people of all genders, sexual orientations, races, and disproportionately impacts women of
color and low-income communities. It includes physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, or
financial abuse by a current or former partner. It is often used by the abuser to control and
manipulate the victim. According to the World Health Organization, one in three women will
experience IPV during their lifetime, a statistic that highlights how serious this issue is. IPV is
not only a violation of basic human rights, but also a public health issue as it can lead to
long-term physical, emotional, and mental health consequences for survivors, including
depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse. IPV is a major social issue that continues to
create cycles of abuse and lasting trauma. This issue often strives in silence as it happens behind
closed doors. Despite the visibility of the issue in media and public discussion, many victims
continue to suffer in silence due to fear, shame, and lack of support. The cycle of abuse can be
difficult to break, which can lead to generational trauma, and many victims struggle to leave
these abusive relationships due to fear of retribution or lack of access to resources such as
housing, and societal pressure to stay in toxic relationships. For example, my grandmother,
mother, and even my sisters have been directly impacted by this cycle of violence which is why
this issue resonates with me on a personal level. My grandmother was in an abusive marriage for
many years, staying due to societal pressure and limited options for women at the time.
Eventually, she left, but the emotional and physical scars remained. This experience deeply
affected my mother, as she found herself in abusive relationships too, struggling with financial
instability, physical pain, emotional exhaustion, and psychological trauma. I also saw how this
violence impacted my sisters, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty for them. To
illustrate the severity, statistics show that nearly 5.3 million cases of IPV happen each year
among U.S. women, causing about 1,300 deaths and 2 million injuries.
To address IPV and raise awareness, I propose a multi-platform educational campaign. I
want to focus on educating the public, particularly young adults, about the signs of IPV, the
impact it has on individuals and families, and the resources available for those affected. Because
we are also in a world that is increasingly growing in using the internet I want to use versatile
approaches that include digital and offline platforms to engage a broad audience. As of right
now, some approaches for the digital campaign include infographics and videos shared on
platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. For the offline approach, I want to organize
educational workshops at community centers and schools to teach healthy relationships and
partner with local shelters, nonprofit organizations, and IPV advocacy organizations for support.
By educating people on IPV, challenging societal stigma, and advocating systemic changes, I
want this project to empower individuals to recognize abuse and support survivors.
