Equality of coefficients for men and women rejected at the 5% level. Equality of coefficients for men and women rejected at the 10% level. The causes of intimate partner violence and sexual violence are best investigated through the use of longitudinal studies of victims. These studies track people over time to document their experiences of such violence and how these experiences relate to other factors at various stages of their life. Unfortunately, few such studies exist, as the measurement of social and cultural conditions that could be thought of as risk factors (i.e. the status of women, gender norms) pose serious challenges, especially across countries and different cultures. Poverty and the associated stress are key contributors to intimate partner violence.