Prevalence of Intimate Partner’s Violence (IPV): A Demographical Analysis of Women Residing in Shelter Homes

Abstract

The study investigated the prevalence of intimate partner’s violence (IPV) through the analysis of key demographical factors among women who sought refuge in shelter homes. This quantitative cross sectional research was conducted on the sample of 110 sheltered women (ages between 16 to 65 years) from the 10 different shelter homes (Dar-ul-Aman) of the Punjab, Pakistan. Sample was drawn through purposive sampling technique.  HITS (Sherin et al., 1998a), was used for assessment of IPV along with a customised demographic sheet and consent form. The quantitative analysis revealed that that the ratio of IPV is significantly higher in arranged/forced marriages as compared to love marriages (p =.042*), additionally, husbands having extra-marital affairs abuse their partners more (p = .049*) as compare to the husbands having no extra-marital affair. It was also revealed that there are no significant difference in geographical boundaries in facing the IPV, both urban and rural women are being the victim of IPV equally (p = .327). Furthermore, it was also evidenced on the basis of significant positive correlation that the ratio of IPV will increase gradually (r = .263**) with the increasing years of marriage, it can be concluded that women in long-term marriages are more prone to IPV and there is a need to address the issue more closely in long term marriages.