Perpetration of Severe Intimate Partner Violence: Premilitary and Second Year of Service Rates

Abstract

A longitudinal design was used to compare rates of severe intimate partner violence (SIPV) perpetration during the year before enlistment and the second year of service in a sample of 542 female and 421 male Navy personnel. Overall, 11% reported perpetration of SIPV during the year before service. Premilitary SIPV perpetration rates were significantly higher for women (20%) than for men (4%). After 2 years of service, the overall percentage reporting past-year perpetration of SIPV increased slightly (14%, compared with a premilitary rate of 11%). The patterns of changes in rates of SIPV perpetration varied for men and women. Across time, SIPV perpetration increased among men (from 4% to 16%) and decreased among women (from 20% to 12%). Respondents who were female, younger, and minority reported higher rates of premilitary SIPV perpetration. No demographic factors were associated with reports of SIPV perpetration during the second year.