Interpersonal Violence

Interpersonal violence refers to harmful behaviors that occur between individuals, typically within close relationships, including families, intimate partners, and acquaintances. This form of violence encompasses various types of abuse such as physical, emotional, sexual, and psychological harm. It significantly impacts the well-being of individuals and communities, leading to long-term physical and mental health consequences. Interpersonal violence can stem from a multitude of factors, including societal norms, power dynamics, and individual circumstances. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach, including prevention efforts, education, and support services for victims, emphasizing the importance of fostering healthy relationships and promoting respect and non-violence in communities. The following provides negative impacts on interpersonal violence from the current administration.

Guns and Domestic Violence

On March 11, 2025, news reports announced that DOJ Attorney Elizabeth G. Oyer claimed she was fired for refusing to restore guns to Mel Gibson because of a domestic violence conviction. However, the White House was adamant about restoring Mel Gibson’s firearms, in spite of the restraining order filed against him in 2011. This has raised concerns from domestic violence advocates regarding the safety of victims/survivors if an abuser has guns returned and safety ignored. The following facts demonstrate the concern for victim/survivor safety [1].

More than half of all intimate partner homicides involve a firearm.
More than half of female homicides are killed by a current or former intimate partner.
Men are more likely to purchase firearms than women.
1968 – the federal Gun Control Act barred firearm possession by individuals convicted of felony domestic violence.
1994 the Violence Against Women Act restricted firearms from being possessed by perpetrators subject to retraining orders.
Victims/survivors of IPV are 5 times more likely to die when an abusive partner has access to firearms.
U.S. women are 21 times more likely to be murdered by a firearm than women in other wealthy countries.
Between January 2019 - April 2021, it is estimated that 7.5 million people purchased firearms.
A survey by Sorenson and Schut (2018) found that approximately 4.5 million women were threatened, and one million had been shot, by an intimate partner with a gun.
Indigenous, Black, and Latinx women are more likely to be killed by an intimate partner than White women; and Black women are five times more likely to die from a firearm during pregnancy.
LGBTQ+ people are two times more likely to experience gun violence as cisgender and heterosexual people.
Geller, Booty, and Crifasi found between 2014 and 2019, 68% of mass shootings, the perpetrator killed an intimate partner or family member or had a history of IPV.

There is no doubt that the return of guns to convicted perpetrators is cause for concern for the safety of victims/survivors – even if that person is a celebrity.

Reference:
[1] Tobin-Tyler, E. (2023). J Law Med Ethics 51(1):64-76

What Can You Do?

We encourage you to write to your members of Congress to express your concerns about the recent decisions allowing firearms to be returned to individuals with a history of domestic violence, like the case involving Mel Gibson. The facts show that guns in the hands of abusers significantly increase the risk of homicide, especially among women and marginalized communities. By reaching out, you can advocate for stronger protections that prioritize the safety of victims and survivors of domestic violence. Your voice is essential in urging lawmakers to uphold policies that prevent gun access for those with a history of violence and ensure the safety of vulnerable populations.

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Fact Sheet

The following Fact Sheet below is available to download, print, and share.