Financial Abuse, Firearms Are Foci of New IPV Awareness Materials

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which includes Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Awareness Month. IPV occurs between romantic partners, can happen to anyone, and can come in various forms. Abuse is not just physical; it also presents as mental, financial, and emotional abuse.

Throughout October, the ACS and its IPV Task Force will share public service announcements (PSAs) on various IPV-related issues. Below are links to video PSAs on financial abuse and the relation between firearms and IPV.

Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month—Financial Abuse

Watch S. Robb Todd, MD, FACS, FCCM, chief of acute care surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, and a member of the ACS IPV Task Force, explain some of the signs of financial abuse and how surgeons can obtain help if they are experiencing it.

Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month—The Gun Connection

Watch Stephanie L. Bonne, MD, FACS, chair of the trauma center at Hackensack Medical Center, New Jersey, and Chair of the ACS IPV Task Force, explain how firearms are connected to intimate partner violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing IPV, consider using these resources for support:

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline—Support is available 24/7. Call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY. If you are unable to speak safely, you can log onto www.thehotline.org or text START to 88788
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline, 24/7, confidential and free, 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or via chat
• National Parent Helpline, Monday through Friday, 12:00 pm–9:00 pm CT, 1-855-427-2736
• An interactive guide to safety planning

On October 30, the IPV Task Force will host a webinar on advocacy and legal protections related to IPV. Learn more and register for this free webinar.