Intimate Partner Violence

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Abstract
To compare the severity of violence reported by women and men filing assault charges against an intimate partner, 100 complainants (90 women and 10 men) were interviewed. Measurement instruments included the Severity of Violence Against Women Scales, Danger Assessment Scale, Stalking Victimization Survey, and a quality of life index. Using independent t tests, no significant differences existed between male and female demographic characteristics. The majority of victims were African American, employed, and in current relationships with the abuser. Similarly, no significant differences existed between genders for any of the measurement instruments, including quality of life indices. Although incidence reports of intimate partner, nonlethal violence is consistently and appreciably higher for females, this study indicates that the severity and extent of the violence does not differ by gender, and neither do the associated quality of life indices. Clearly, violence against intimates is an equally serious issue for both men and women.