Author(s) :

Talia Simon.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Intimate partner violence (IPV) describes acts of violence committed by one member of an intimate relationship against another. This paper discusses IPV experienced by women in abusive relationships, broken down into three phases: before, during, and after the relationship. Before the relationship, policy solutions center on increasing awareness and education to mitigate the chances of women ever experiencing abuse. During the relationship, proposals focus on increasing financial security and independence. After women leave the relationship, the focus shifts to maintaining their financial stability so that they are less likely to return to abuse. This paper addresses which solutions are most effective and durable at mitigating IPV for women in abusive relationships. This review suggests that a multipronged approach, including education, awareness, and economic opportunities, is most successful in reaching this goal. Ultimately, providing women with such opportunities would decrease rates of IPV by increasing accessibility of separation from their husbands, decreasing financial stress in the home, and increasing stability. This makes violent incidents less likely to occur and decreases the chances of women entering, reentering, or continuing to be involved in abusive relationships.