RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Intimate Partner Abuse (IPA) is defined as physical, sexual, economic or psychological abuse to an individual perpertrated by a current or former partner (1). In primary care settings, the prevalence of IPA ranges from 15 per cent - 66 percent with an average approaching 50 per cent for lifetime experiences of abuse. Additionally, WHO studies, from 40 population-based studies done in 24 countires in four continents, found that 25 per cent to 50 per cent of women were victims of assult perpetrated by a male partner. It is important to note that the literature contains several terms when discussing this issue. These include domestic violence (DV), intimate partner abuse and intimate partner violence. DV is taken to refer to the wider violence occurring in the home between family members or persons living in the same home...
