One in four women will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in her lifetime, and such victims often present with a host of related mental and physical health concerns. This course describes the current definition of IPV, which includes violence between same-sex partners. Because research indicates violent behavior tends to escalate over time, providers will learn to identify the warning signs of IPV. Practitioners will also learn evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies including specialized health and legal resources for individuals in abusive relationships. Finally, as relationship abuse may be culture-bound, techniques for improving cultural competence while working with victims of IPV are emphasized throughout the course.

• Comprehend the current definition of intimate partner violence and the mental and physical health issues that often co-occur with it.
• Identify warning signs of intimate partner violence.
• Recognize individual and sociocultural risk factors for the development and maintenance of IPV.
• Incorporate theory- and evidence-based interventions into clinical practice to facilitate assessment and treatment of IPV.
• Provide victims of partner violence with specialized health and legal resources.