Childhood adversity and intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence is a very serious issue that affects millions of people around the world. It can involve physical assaults, sexual abuse, emotional harm, threats, or controlling behavior toward a current or former partner. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this type of violence occurs across all social groups, regardless of gender, education level, or income. It is estimated that about 30% of people have been victims of intimate partner violence at some point in their lives, and nearly 19% have committed such acts themselves.

Although both men and women can experience intimate partner violence, research shows that women are more likely to face the most severe forms. These include serious physical assaults, sexual violence, ongoing harassment, and even the risk of being killed by their partner. So, while the numbers might suggest that violence is evenly distributed, the reality is that the consequences are often much more serious for women.

Evidence also shows that people who experienced adversity during childhood are more likely to repeat patterns of violence in their adult relationships. For example, witnessing one parent hitting or abusing the other, especially the mother, has been found to strongly influence whether someone will later use violence in their own relationships. Childhood experiences of neglect, abuse, or abandonment can also make it harder for people to recognize healthy relationships, which increases the likelihood of staying in violent or abusive situations.

Studies have shown that this cycle of violence can pass from one generation to the next. Sometimes the pattern repeats in the same way, such as when someone who was physically abused as a child later abuses their own children. Other times it changes form, for instance, when someone who experienced emotional neglect in childhood ends up in a physically abusive relationship as an adult. This is known as intergenerational continuity of violence, and it can be difficult to break if the underlying causes are not recognized early on.

Age also appears to play a role. Younger people seem to be at greater risk of entering violent relationships, perhaps because they are still learning how to relate to others or because they have fewer emotional and social resources to help them leave harmful situations. In contrast, older adults are generally less likely to experience this kind of violence, possibly due to greater stability, life experience, or stronger support networks.

Another important finding is that more recent studies show a stronger link between adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner violence. This might be due to reduced stigma around these topics and improved tools for identifying them. For example, some healthcare settings now ask patients directly whether they faced difficult experiences during childhood, which helps providers better understand their needs and offer more appropriate support.

Breaking the cycle of violence requires looking not only at personal histories but also at the broader social conditions that shape people’s lives. It also means promoting emotional education from an early age so that children and young people can learn how to build healthy relationships. With this kind of approach, it becomes possible to prevent harm and support the well-being of future generations.