Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse among Active Duty Military Women

Abstract

In a sample of 616 active duty military women, 30% reported adult lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV), defined as physical and/or sexual assault. The prevalence of IPV during the time of military service was 21.6%. Lifetime prevalence of any abuse, including emotional abuse and/or stalking, was 44.3%. Risk factors for IPV (lifetime and while in the military) from multivariate logistic regression were separated or divorced marital status (odds ratio = 5.23, 6.17, respectively), being widowed (odds ratio = 3.57, 4.57), having one child (odds ratio = 2.12, 2.49) or three or more children (odds ratio = 2.72, 3.34), and being enlisted personnel rather than officers (odds ratio = 2.45, 2.77). These prevalence rates and risk factors were similar to a demographically comparable civilian sample from the same geographic area. Existing military policies and programs should be examined and enhanced to maintain military readiness as well as reduce military women's risk of harm.