Understanding LGBTQ+ Intimate Partner Violence & Challenges in

This research project is a focus on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) within LGBTQ+ community and the challenges associated with seeking family support. IPV is defined as a violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of an intimate spouse or partner. However, IPV can happen on the street, in one’s home or even in a public place. Those exposed to IPV can be children, men and women. IPV is a prevalent issue in our society (Bright 2008). According to Ristock (2005), violence in LGBTQ+ relationships may be referred to as partner violence, relationship violence, or LGBTQ+ IPV. IPV however, has been most strongly associated with heterosexual relationships and assumes certain gendered roles (male batterers, female victims). Due to this common set of assumptions about intimate relationships and what counts as IPV, members of the LGBTQ+ communities are outside of the common assistance as a result of these assumptions. People of the LGBTQ+ population take on a variety of differing gender roles that may or may not coincide with who they have an intimate relationship with and therefore challenge the traditional notions of what counts as an intimate partner. It is for this reason that particular attention needs to be paid to This study uses mixed-methods to explore the challenges associated with seeking support for IPV within the LGBTQ+ community, and based on survey findings, uses autoethnography to conduct an in-depth exploration of how one family provide support, as well as what prevents Black LGBTQ+ identified person from seeking family support. Future research and implications for policy and practice are discussed