Intimate partner violence (IPV) includes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression (including coercive tactics) by a spouse or intimate partner (current or former).
As many seriously ill patients are considered vulnerable adults, palliative care teams can play an important role in identifying and caring for seriously ill victims of IPV, as they are often embedded in the home and/or aware of family dynamics.
More than 1 in 3 women and more than 1 in 4 men experience IPV in their lifetime.
IPV can happen at any age, and may not stop just because a patient becomes seriously ill. In fact, IPV risk factors — such as social isolation, depression, economic stress, and increased dependence — can be more prevalent when patients are near death.

See reference for more information.

Adapted from Pinto P, Generoux C, Chuang E. Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin. Fast facts and concepts #345. Intimate partner violence. Internet. Accessed on January 3, 2018.