Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent form of gender-based violence that affects a significant portion of the global population. Shockingly, statistics show that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience violence at the hands of an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Recent research suggests that the roots of IPV may be traced back to childhood experiences of violence.
A study conducted in South Africa revealed alarming results, with over 50% of participants reporting experiencing IPV by the age of 28. The study also indicated that 48.6% of individuals faced physical abuse by the age of 18, emphasizing a strong correlation between childhood violence and IPV. Associate Professor Juliana Kagura, from the Wits School of Public Health, presented these findings at the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) forum in Cape Town. The study drew data from the Birth to 20+ (Bt20+) Cohort Study, a long-term research initiative tracking the lives of 3,273 participants from Soweto since 1989.
Surprisingly, the study found that nearly equal percentages of men (59%) and women (55%) experienced IPV, highlighting that both genders are equally affected by this form of violence. In a country like South Africa, where gender-based violence rates are alarmingly high, these findings shed light on the enduring trauma that affects individuals and families.
The research identified two patterns of physical violence victimization during childhood: chronic violence that escalates over time and occasional violence during adolescent years. Individuals who experienced chronic violence in childhood were significantly more likely to experience IPV as adults, underscoring the long-lasting impact of childhood trauma.
Furthermore, socioeconomic factors were found to play a role in the likelihood of experiencing IPV. Those who were economically disadvantaged, less educated, or unmarried were more vulnerable to IPV. Professor Kagura emphasized the urgency of intervention strategies to support individuals experiencing ongoing violence, especially in a context where 90% of children in the cohort had been exposed to violence during childhood and adolescence.
Another study conducted in 2024 reviewed 48 studies from 29 African countries, including South Africa, examining the link between childhood exposure to IPV and later victimization or perpetration of IPV. The research demonstrated a strong connection between childhood trauma and adult victimization, with individuals exposed to IPV in childhood being at a higher risk of experiencing physical, sexual, and emotional violence in adulthood.
The review highlighted the need for early intervention to prevent future victimization and the importance of culturally relevant approaches to addressing childhood IPV. The findings from these studies underscore the critical importance of effective strategies to protect children from violence and break the cycle of IPV, ultimately improving outcomes for future generations.
