Interpersonal violence refers to intentional harm inflicted by one person onto another within a relationship or social setting. It can occur between family members, intimate partners, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. This type of violence can take many forms, including:

Physical Violence – The use of force that causes bodily harm, such as hitting, punching, or choking.

Sexual Violence – Any non-consensual sexual act, including assault, harassment, or coercion.

Psychological/Emotional Violence – Behaviors that inflict mental harm, such as threats, intimidation, manipulation, or verbal abuse.

Economic/Financial Abuse – Controlling a person’s financial resources to limit their independence, such as restricting access to money or employment.

Child Abuse and Neglect – Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of a child, as well as failure to provide basic needs like food, shelter, or medical care.

Domestic Violence – Abuse that occurs within intimate or family relationships, including physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse.

Human Trafficking – The exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for labor or sexual purposes.

Bullying – Repeated aggressive behavior that involves an imbalance of power, including verbal, physical, social, or cyberbullying.

Hazing – Abusive or humiliating initiation rituals, often seen in schools, fraternities, sororities, or sports teams.

Elder Abuse – Harm or neglect inflicted upon older adults, including physical abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect by caregivers.

Gender-Based Violence – Harm directed at individuals based on their gender, including sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination.

Interpersonal violence can happen in various settings, including domestic relationships, workplaces, schools, and communities. It has long-term physical, emotional, and psychological effects on victims, making prevention and intervention crucial.