Examining the Intersections between Child Maltreatment and Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women and child maltreatment (CM) have been traditionally addressed in isolation by researchers, policy makers and programs. In recent years, however, a growing body of research suggests that these types of violence often occur within the same household and that exposure to violence in childhood—either as a victim of physical or sexual abuse or as a witness to IPV—may increase the risk of experiencing or perpetrating different forms of violence later in life. Moreover, physical punishment of children is more common in households where women are abused and interventions that address child maltreatment may be less effective in households experiencing IPV. This evidence calls for greater recognition of the intersections between types of violence. This article outlines four specific gaps and presents an integrated framework for moving the field forward with respect to the intersection of IPV and CM.