Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as violence occurring between two people in a close relationship, such as spouses, former spouses, or dating partners.

• A. Violence between coworkers.
• B. Violence between strangers.
• C. Violence within a close relationship.
• D. Self-inflicted violence.

Answer: (C)

Intimate partner violence is violence that occurs within a close relationship, such as between spouses, former spouses, or dating partners. This focus on the relationship context distinguishes IPV from other types of violence. The description that matches this definition—violence within a close relationship—is why it’s the correct choice. The other scenarios involve violence in settings or relationships that aren’t intimate partners: violence between coworkers happens in a workplace, violence between strangers involves people without a close relationship, and self-inflicted violence is harm directed at oneself rather than between two people in a relationship.