Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence is any abuse or aggression experienced in a romantic relationship consisting of about four behaviors inclusive of physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression (Fast Facts: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence, 2021). Psychological and emotional abuse include traits such as verbal threats, criticism, abusive language, humiliation, intimidation, obsessive jealously, and withholding affection as a form of punishment (Xavier Quinn). Traits of sexual abuse involve unwanted touching, refusal to comply with partners request for safe sex practices, coercing partner into sex with others, beating partner about sexual history, and purposeful and repetitive desire to cross partner’s sexual boundaries (Xavier Quinn). Physical abuse characteristics are inclusive of hitting, choking, beating, pushing, kicking, burning, shoving, biting, prevention of escape, threatening with objects, and refusal to help partner seek medical attention (Xavier Quinn). Another behavior of intimate partner violence includes financial abuse. Financial abuse consists of controlling finances in the relationship, denying partner access to money, stealing partners property such as credit cards, money or checkbook, and coercing partner to pay for living expenses (Xavier Quinn).
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern in the United States as it is known to effect over 80 million people within their lifetime (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19). More specifically, IPV has consumed the lives of approximately 43 million women and 38 million men (Fast Facts: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence, 2021). Intimate partner violence is associated with the increase of serious adverse health effects such as complications with reproductive, digestive, and nervous system, and conditions affecting the heart, muscles, and bones (Fast Facts: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence, 2021). In addition to, psychological and physical symptoms such as anxiety, depression, sleep disruptions, elevated startle responses have been shown to emerge in same sex intimate partner survivors (Hae Rim Jin, 2016). IPV survivors are more susceptible to experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and engage in risky behaviors such as smoking, binge drinking, sexual advance (Fast Facts: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence, 2021). Furthermore, IPV presents a huge economic consequence on the United States economy, due to the cost of medical services from injuries, lost productivity from paid work, and criminal justice (Fast Facts: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence, 2021). On average, the total cost of an IPV survivor over a lifetime is estimated at $103,767 for women and $23,414 for men (Fast Facts: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence, 2021).
According to a 2013 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), greater rates of intimate partner violence are experienced among the LBGTQ population (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19). The transgender community and bisexual women population experience alarming rates of sexual violence and abuse (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19). In the study, bisexual women reported sexual violence at twice the rate of their heterosexual counterparts (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19). In reference to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NIPSVS) approximately, 44% of lesbians and 61% of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence, and stalking by their romantic partner (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19). In contrast to heterosexual males at experiencing rape, physical violence and stalking by a romantic partner at 37%, approximately 26% of gay men and 37% of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence, and stalking by a romantic partner (Wright, 2017).
In 2015, the United States Transgender Survey discovered that 54% of non-binary and transgender participants experienced intimate partner violence within their life span (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19). In fact, transgender women are nearly 3 times more likely to report having an experience of financial and sexual violence by their partner (Wright, 2017). In addition to, LGBTQ survivors of IPV with disabilities are 2 times more likely to face isolation, are 3 times more susceptible to experience stalking and 4 times more likely to deal with financial violence from their partner (Wright, 2017). Among the LGBTQ population, LGBTQ youth of color are at greater susceptibility of intimate partner violence when compared to non-LGBTQ youth (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19). The Youth Risk Behavior System data highlights that 19% of Black participants, 20% of Native American participants, 13% of Asian participants and 16% of Latinx participants have been involved dating violence when compared to non-LGBTQ participants at 6% (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19).
There is immense fear among gender and sexual minorities due to the discrimination from service providers, that aids in the lack of access to resources and assistance. This promotes the rise of further health problems, issues and complications for gender and sexual minorities post victimization (Hae Rim Jin, 2016). In reference to the Human Rights Campaign article, LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence are frequently denied access to domestic violence services, shelters, improperly arrested and often regarded as the aggressor in the situation and declined orders of protection as a result of sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19). An alarming 85% of LGBTQ patients have been denied access to care and support services from providers because of their sexual preferences and gender minority status (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19). Because of the apparent gap of access to services and support groups LGBTQ victims of intimate partner violence are often left fend for themselves, leaving them to experience homelessness, and further increasing the risk of sexual exploitation, trafficking, violence, and criminalization (LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19).
The article “Intimate Partner Violence among Sexual Minority Populations” states “same‐sex victims are more likely than heterosexual victims to be blamed and less likely to be viewed as credible by criminal justice decision makers and in court settings due to their failure to conform to traditional gender roles and the stereotypical profile of a “legitimate” or “true” victim” (Hae Rim Jin, 2016). Only 33% of IPV survivors have made a report law enforcement and 12% of the reporters made claims that the police were hostile in handling the circumstance (Wright, 2017). In addition to, the claim of self-defense by same sex intimate partner violence victims are less likely to be believed by jurors as a result of misconceptions about intimate partner violence in gender and sexual minorities, stereotypes, and public stigmas in affiliation with homosexuality (Hae Rim Jin, 2016).
There are several programs and organizations designed to help the LGBTQ population against intimate partner violence and provide appropriate levels of care to a vulnerable community. FORGE is a national transgender anti violence organization aimed at providing full-service care to transgender survivors of sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, and domestic violence (Building strength and resilience in our transgender communities., n.d.). Their work centers on the foundation of trauma informed, researched based and empowerment focused care (Building strength and resilience in our transgender communities., n.d.). The FORGE organization core values are inclusive of creating an environment of safety, respect, support, healing, connection, and empowerment (Building strength and resilience in our transgender communities., n.d.). The FORGE organization provides a technical assistance for free that supports clients in finding access to an array of agencies and additional resources to further assist clients in achieving their goals and accomplishing their needs (Building strength and resilience in our transgender communities., n.d.). Another program supporting LGBTQ communities against IPV is The Network/LA Red! This organizations aims to create a world of anti-oppression, while strengthening communities through education, organization, and the allocation of support services (What is the Housing Pathways Program?, 2018). The Network/LA Red! Program offers a housing pathways service that offers housing stability to survivors of IPV (What is the Housing Pathways Program?, 2018). The program consists of a safe home, where participants are housed for one month in a confidential location (What is the Housing Pathways Program?, 2018). The other component includes transitional housing for up to two years of financial support with housing (What is the Housing Pathways Program?, 2018). In both phases of the housing pathway program, participants are eligible to receive advocacy, referral, and supportive services, and counseling (What is the Housing Pathways Program?, 2018).
In conclusion, intimate partner violence among the LGBTQ population needs increased recognition and awareness to promote the creation and allocation of services and justice to those harmed by the consequences of IPV. The LGBTQ population is underserved as it relates to providing the necessary services and resources to support them in improving their quality of life and assisting in combating the adverse health effects and harms caused by IPV. While there are some resources present to help combat intimate partner violence, more resources, programs, advocacy groups and political policy is necessary to further the trajectory of assistance for LGBTQ communities. Immense change needs to be made in the criminal justice system in identifying the factors, behaviors, consequences, and adverse health effects of intimate partner violence. Improving the justice system for the LGBTQ not only helps protect victims and save lives but it will aim in the production of policy and intervention designed to continue to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ population.
Works Cited
Building strength and resilience in our transgender communities. (n.d.). Retrieved from Forge: https://forge-forward.org
Fast Facts: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence. (2021, November). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html
Hae Rim Jin, M. C. (2016). Intimate Partner Violence among Sexual Minority Populations. Crime Victims’ Institute.
LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence AND COVID-19. (n.d.). Retrieved from Human Rights Campaign: https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/Intimate-Partner-Violence-Report-2020.pdf?_ga=2.96162908.1579415659.1653534743-839918317.1653534743
What is the Housing Pathways Program? (2018). Retrieved from The Network La Red: https://www.tnlr.org/en/housing-pathways-program/
Wright, G. P. (2017, September 26). Intimate Partner Violence in LGBTQ relationships. Retrieved from FXB Center: https://fxbcenter.org/education/2017-HIV-CaseStudyDay-Slides/Intimate-partner-violence-LGBTQ-relationships.pdf
Xavier Quinn, L. (n.d.). Intimate Partner Violence in LGBTQ communities. Retrieved from National LGBT Health Education Center: Intimate Partner Violence in LGBTQ communities
The post Intimate Partner Violence Intimate partner violence is any abuse or aggression experienced appeared first on PapersSpot.
