Intimate Partner Violence In The LGBT Community

Approximately 1.3 million women each year are victims of physical assault by a partner in the United States, with larger numbers of such incidents not being reported (Herman, Rotunda, Williamson, & Vodanovich, 2014, p. 2). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as sexual, physical, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse, which can include sexual violence, psychological and emotional violence, or physical violence (Herman et al., 2014, p. 2). IPV is also known as dating violence, domestic violence, family violence, or spouse abuse.

We had a guest speaker from Mutual Ground that explained what programs and services Mutual Ground offers people who face Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Teaching us about the various forms of abuse people in a relationship face. Based on the various forms someone seeks power and control in a relationship. Such as using coercion and threats, intimidation, emotional abuse, economic abuse, male privilege, children, isolation and minimizing, denying and blaming their partner to suppress their partner and have power and control. Our guest speaker talked about some of the plans they have to help the LGBTQ community to provide the same services to help victims of sexual violence and domestic violence get the necessary help needed to protect everybody

There are usually not many reports made about same-sex violence because many were ashamed or thought their situation would not get heard. These individuals feel like their problems would be determined less serious over heterosexual abuse situations. “Lesbian and Gays are more reluctant to report abuse to legal authorities because they fear that they are showing a lack of solidarity among the gay and lesbian community. Many individuals may think there is a difference between the risk factor among heterosexual couples and same-sex couples, however there is no major difference. Also, according to Seccombe (2015) “The rate of abuse in gay and lesbian relationships is similar to or even higher than that in heterosexual relationships, around 25 to 30 percent” (p.322). As we look at the lesbian and gay community we see that they just want to fit in, so this is another reason their stories become unknown. There are many reason to think only woman get victimized, men are victimized, as well. To add, the individuals who describe themselves in the female role are victimized, based on the gender norms where woman should be unassertive and house labors instead of being in the workforce. So, therefore, there is not a major difference or any difference between the risk factors between the heterosexuals and the lesbian and gay intimate

Before taking this course on family violence, I had an idea what was Intimate Partner Violence. I have always believed that Intimate partner violence involves only married couples. I had also thought that violence between a married couple consider the only force of using physical abuse only. Fortunately after reading about partner violence, I have learned that there was more than just one type of abuses. For example, I never thought that sexual abuse could happen between a couple. In addition, I learned that intimate partner violence does not consider only married partners but also partners who have same sex genders, and are unmarried.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pattern of aggressive behavior and coercive behavior that can include physical injury, psychological abuse, sexual assault, progressive isolation, stalking, and intimidation which may take many forms. IPV is a common and significant public health problem that is life threatening and preventable. It affects millions of women regardless of race, ethnicity, age, education, socioeconomic class, or sexual orientation. One in three women in the United States has experienced some form of IPV in their lifetime. (1)

Intimate partner violence (IPV) which falls into the category of domestic violence, is an epidemic among individuals in every community affecting twelve million men and women each year. IPV has no discrimination when it comes to characteristics of the victims. Although victims of IPV are predominately female, men are just as capable of becoming victims as well. The term intimate partner violence describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner (CDC, 2015). Such violence does not always require sexual intimacy and can occur among same-sex or heterosexual couples. Some risk factors for IPV victimization include: previous childhood victimization, low self-esteem, young age, low income, and heavy drug and alcohol use.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), twenty-four people per minute are affected be intimate partner violence. (2013) It is estimated that twelve million people in the United States alone are affected each year. Intimate partner violence includes anything from physical or sexual abuse to psychological abuse to stalking or threats by a current or former partner. This form of violence can occur among couples that identify with any sexual orientation. The CDC reports that individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual are at an equal or higher risk for intimate partner violence. (2013) Sexual intimacy within the relationship is not a requirement for violence to be considered intimate partner violence. (CDC, 2013)

Currently, in the United States there are 9 million people who are openly a part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community; that is roughly equivalent to the entire population of New Jersey. The LGBT community stands for and places their beliefs in equality, individuality, and pride. Despite their efforts, they are still faced with degrading discrimination and cruel hatred. Today, fourteen percent of all hate crimes are directed towards to LGBT community. (fbi.gov) The number of hate crimes towards the community is quickly increasing and evolving into a worldwide problem. One of the most recent and impactful hate crimes was in 2016 when a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, was attacked by a gunman. That night, nearly fifty

•26% percent of gay men and 37% of bisexual men compared to 29% of heterosexual men experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime

Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any age and gender starting from babies and ending to elderlies in homes they are sent to live in. Regardless of one’s sexual orientation and race domestic violence can occur to anyone who are in relationships. Domestic violence not only affects those who are the victims but also to the people who are close to them such as neighbors, children, family members, co- workers, and people who have an insight on the situation. It is important for the victim to address the problem with someone who can help. Although the abuser can promise to change and get better, the victim must remove himself or herself from the situation to reduce risks of long-term affects.

All three articles address dating violence as well as sexual assault. This topic is important to me because in this day and age dating violence and sexual assault are very common with individual’s period. Regardless of the person being homosexual or heterosexual, Edwards, Sylaska, Barry, Moynihan, Banyard, Cohn, Walsh and Ward (2015) were able to show studies that included participants being victimized of sexual assault and dating violence. Sexual assault and dating violence affects a lot of individuals mentally and physically. Ollen, Ameral, Reed, and Hines (2017) stated that being victimized not only ruins a person’s way of thinking when it comes to dating being put in the situation causes trust issues throughout that person’s

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is threatened or actual physical and/or sexual violence by a current or former spouse or partner. Typically thought of as violence from man to women. Not true. IPV also covers the abuse of a man by women and gay or lesbian relationships. Globally nearly one in three women who have ever been in a relationship have experienced IPV (Gilles, 2015). According to Gilberto Caberra, MD (2015), the frequency and severity of abuse tend to increase overtime. IPV involves patterns of intimidating behavior used to establish and maintain control over an intimate partner. Situations of IPV could involve physical or social isolation and denial of basic needs. IPV not only effects the abused but can also have an adverse effect on the family members and children who have witnessed the abuse. Lawrence and Taft list the effects of IPV as physical injury, chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, unwanted pregnancy and a sexual transmitted disease and psychological effects of IVP include but not limited to, panic

Sexual coercion involved manipulation and psychological pressure by persisting constantly, lying and using drugs or alcohol. Sexual assault involved physical pressure and aggression to accomplish the desires sexual interactions. The research that has been done in this area of sexual aggression supports the author’s findings since significant differences between the two dimensions of sexually aggressive strategies were documented. The authors examine sexual aggression in the relationships of married couples, teens and young adults as well homosexual relationships (gays and lesbians). This article closely relates to the areas of relational violence, relational uncertainty, deception, identity presentation and unwanted

from the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, engaged in a two–pronged approach” (Sullivan, 2012). First, information was collected from empirical research studies, and addressed the need for specific programs and practices addressing IPV (intimate physical violence). The study shows

Partner violence between same sex couples and heterosexual is the same because there is no separate violence concept for homosexual and heterosexual couples. Besides being labeled as homosexual partnership and heterosexual partnerships, there really isn’t much of a difference between the two partnerships. “Homosexual couples experience domestic violence just as heterosexual couples do and fall in the same category of family violence” (Oneal, Lecture 6). Homosexual couples in reality experience the same types of abuse a heterosexual experience but the gravity of their abuse might be more complicated. For instance, homosexual couples can experience the harmful effects from hate crimes, domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, sexual abuse, rape,