Investigating Trans People’s Vulnerabilities to Intimate Partner Violence/Abuse

Traditionally recognized as “violence against women,” the research literature on intimate partner violence/abuse (IPV/A; also known as domestic violence) continually neglects to incorporate subculture populations that do not fit societal understanding of typical victim/offender roles. More than 4 decades of research has expanded our knowledge of IPV/A in Western and developing countries across race, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status. However, identifying the prevalence of IPV/A across all manner of relationships has been difficult. In particular, IPV/A within the transgender population has remained practically invisible. Although frequently recognized as an appendage of lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations, trans people are often overlooked in research because of their invisibility within society. Research that does exist is rarely generalizable because of sample size and selection. Therefore, research is required to assess how trans people are affected by IPV/A, what they understand IPV/A to be, what needs are trans-specific, and what help-seeking barriers exist.An analysis of the literature pertaining to trans people regarding IPV/A and other violence, health, and public relations as well as experiences with law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and judiciary in an attempt to identify any issues that could be relevant to trans people experiencing IPV/A is presented. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

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Migrant Women’s Help-Seeking Decisions and Use of Support Resources for Intimate Partner Violence in China

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/10778012211000133 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107780122110001

Author(s):

Ran Hu ◽

Jia Xue ◽

Xiying Wang

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Poisson Model ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Future Research ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sources Of Support

In China, women who domestically relocate from rural or less developed regions to major cities are at a higher risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) than their non-migrant counterparts. Few studies have focused on Chinese domestic migrant women’s help-seeking for IPV and their use of different sources of support. The present study aimed to identify factors that influence migrant women’s help-seeking decisions. In addition, we also examined factors that contribute to migrant women’s use of diverse sources of support for IPV. A sample of 280 migrant women victimized by IPV in the past year at the time of the survey was drawn from a larger cross-sectional study conducted in four major urban cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Using a multinomial logistic regression model and a zero-inflated Poisson model, we found that factors influencing migrant women’s help-seeking decisions and their use of diverse sources of support included socioeconomic factors, IPV type, relationship-related factors, knowledge of China’s first anti-Domestic Violence Law, and perception of the effectiveness of current policies. We discuss implications for future research and interventions.

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Social support needs and help seeking behaviours among Spanish-speaking Canadian immigrant women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV)

10.32920/ryerson.14666898.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Angela Cerdena D’Unian

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Immigrant Women ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Future Research ◽

Spanish Speaking ◽

Greater Toronto Area ◽

Sources Of Support

There is considerable research about women who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in the Canadian literature. However, most of these studies have focused on IPV among Canadian-born women. Immigrant women who make the decision to seek help for IPV have received less attention in the research-based literature in Canada. This qualitative study examined the IPV experiences of 10 Spanish-speaking immigrant women in Canada, all from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The main focus was to examine the intersectionality between social support and help seeking behaviours for IPV. Results indicated that Spanish-speaking immigrants in Canada utilized both formal and informal sources of support for IPV. The importance of continuous support as a factor preventing women from returning to an abusive relationship was consistently reported by participants. Implications of the study findings and directions for future research are further discussed in this manuscript.

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Correlates of Social Reactions to Victims’ Disclosures of Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/15248380211016013 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152483802110160

Author(s):

Sarah E. Ullman

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Sexual Assault ◽

Posttraumatic Growth ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Future Research ◽

Social Reactions ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Negative Social Reactions

Sexual assault and intimate partner violence (IPV) are common experiences in women, but few studies have examined correlates of social reactions experienced by victims telling others about assault. This systematic review identified 30 studies through searches of research databases on correlates of social reactions to disclosure of sexual assault or IPV in samples of adult victims or disclosure recipients. Studies showed evidence of greater negative social reactions for Black and Hispanic victims, less educated, and bisexual victims. More extensive trauma histories in victims were related to receipt of greater negative social reactions, whereas assault characteristics (e.g., victim–offender relationship, alcohol use, perpetrator violence during assault) were sometimes associated with negative reactions. In terms of postassault factors, more psychological symptoms, self-blame, avoidance coping, less perceived control, and less posttraumatic growth were related to more negative social reactions. Disclosure characteristics, telling informal sources, and telling more sources were related to more positive reactions, whereas telling both formal and informal sources was related to negative reactions. Demographic, attitudinal, and relational factors were related to disclosure recipients’ intended social reactions. Future research needs to examine how various factors relate to social reactions in the context of theory, and clinical treatment and interventions should use this information to identify and intervene with victims to reduce negative social reactions and their psychological impacts and to increase positive social reactions particularly from informal support sources.

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Female Violence Against Intimate Partners: An Introduction

Psychology of Women Quarterly ◽

10.1111/j.1471-6402.2005.00217.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 229-237 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Irene Hanson Frieze

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Battered Women ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Research Literature ◽

Future Research ◽

Special Issue ◽

Research Directions ◽

Female Violence ◽

Future Research Directions

This special issue addresses some of the contradictions found in the research literature on intimate partner violence. Much of this work is concerned with the problems of severely battered women. However, other research indicates that women can be just as violent as their partners. Articles in this issue begin to explore some of the ways that women express intimate partner violence and argue that there is more than one type of partner violence. Motives and other correlates of violence are examined and future research directions are outlined.

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Korean Immigrant Women and Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of the Literature

Journal of Asian Research ◽

10.22158/jar.v2n4p153 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 153

Author(s):

Suyeon Park

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Immigrant Women ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Future Research ◽

Korean Immigrant ◽

Korean Immigrant Women ◽

Seeking Behavior

This articles reviews and synthesizes the existing empirical studies on intimate partner violence among Korean immigrant women. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted for the period of 1997 to 2017. From 9 eligible studies that met the inclusion criteria, prevalence rates and risk factors of intimate partner violence and help seeking behavior among Korean immigrant women are discussed. Based on the findings of this review, suggestions for future research are presented.

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Centering Transgender Survivors' Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization: A Critique of Dominant Approaches to Research and Service Provision

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/vv-d-20-00077 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 493-508

Author(s):

C. V. Dolan ◽

Nicole E. Conroy

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Service Provision ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Service Providers ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

White Supremacist ◽

Help Seeking Behaviors ◽

Trans People ◽

Nuanced Understanding

Transgender (trans) survivors are infrequently included in the intimate partner violence (IPV) literature, and they are rarely the central subjects of IPV research. Similarly, trans survivors are rarely at the center of IPV service provision. In this article we articulate the importance of centering trans survivors in IPV research and practice through developing a nuanced understanding of the unique manifestations of abuse for trans individuals. Using intersectionality (Collins, 2019; Crenshaw, 1989, 1991) as our theoretical framework, we discuss the manifestations of dominance in trans IPV research and service provision. Specifically, we explain how cissexism, binarism, trans misogyny, and dysphoria reify White supremacist cisheteropatriarchy in intimate relationships, research, and service provision. We argue the importance of researchers and service providers alike to recognize and detect identity abuse tactics as well and how they contribute to the unique barriers trans survivors encounter to access resources and their help-seeking behaviors. With a more nuanced understanding of the ways that White supremacist cisheteropatriarchy affect trans individuals' experiences of IPV, researchers and service providers will be better able to understand and respond to abuse tactics used against trans people.

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The Help-Seeking Process in Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence: a Systematic Review

Sexuality Research and Social Policy ◽

10.1007/s13178-021-00629-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fabrizio Santoniccolo ◽

Tommaso Trombetta ◽

Luca Rollè

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Same Sex ◽

Full Text Review ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Barriers To Services

Abstract Introduction Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence (SSIPV) is a complex issue that can be severely damaging. When involved in SSIPV, victims and perpetrators sometimes choose to seek help. The help-seeking process, however, can be difficult. Experiences of help-seeking seem to vary and may be positive or negative depending on several factors, some of which appear to be specific to lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people involved in a same-sex relationship. Methods A systematic review of the literature has been conducted across four databases following the PRISMA statement guidelines. Out of 410 screened abstracts, 78 articles were selected for full-text review. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 studies were included in the current review. Thematic analysis was conducted on these studies and results were discussed by three reviewers. Results Help-seekers tended to use informal sources of help, perceived to be ambivalently helpful. Formal sources tended to be utilized sparingly, except for counselors. Many formal sources were perceived to be unhelpful, and most of the studies identified several barriers to services that prevented effective help. Formal and helpful sources were perceived as knowledgeable and sensitive about LGB themes. Conclusions While existing research is limited, formal services that can provide effective care for SSIPV appear scarce. Barriers to services seem widespread, limiting accessibility. Policy Implications Existing services would benefit from increasing their knowledge and sensitivity on SSIPV-specific themes. The development of policies, programs, and interventions that aim to provide effective help is needed, as well as more research.

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Barriers to Help Seeking for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838015585318 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 585-600 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

Jenna M. Calton ◽

Lauren Bennett Cattaneo ◽

Kris T. Gebhard

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Romantic Relationships ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Research Policy ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Future Research ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Opposite Sex ◽

And Gender

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive and devastating social problem that is estimated to occur in one of every four opposite-sex relationships and at least one of every five same-sex romantic relationships. These estimates may not represent violence against those who identify as transgender or genderqueer, and very little comprehensive research has been conducted on IPV within these populations. One statewide study on IPV found rates of IPV were as high as one of every two transgender individuals. In order to cope with the effects of abuse or leave an abusive partner, many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and genderqueer (LGBTQ) IPV survivors seek support from others. However, LGBTQ IPV survivors may experience unique difficulties related to their sexual orientation and gender identity when seeking assistance. This article reviews the literature on LGBTQ IPV and suggests three major barriers to help-seeking exist for LGBTQ IPV survivors: a limited understanding of the problem of LGBTQ IPV, stigma, and systemic inequities. The significance and consequences of each barrier are discussed, and suggestions for future research, policy, and practice are provided.

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Social support needs and help seeking behaviours among Spanish-speaking Canadian immigrant women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV)

10.32920/ryerson.14666898 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Angela Cerdena D’Unian

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Immigrant Women ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Future Research ◽

Spanish Speaking ◽

Greater Toronto Area ◽

Sources Of Support

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Intimate Partner Violence and Help-Seeking

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000304 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 263-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Solveig Lelaurain ◽

Pierluigi Graziani ◽

Grégory Lo Monaco

Keyword(s):

Social Psychology ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Social Concern ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Inhibiting Factors ◽

Wide Range

Abstract. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global social concern: many women are affected by this phenomenon and by the difficulty of putting an end to it. This review of the literature aims to identify help-seeking facilitating and inhibiting factors in response to IPV. It was carried out on the PsycINFO and Medline databases using the following keywords: “intimate partner violence,” “domestic violence,” “help-seeking,” and “help-seeking barrier.” Ninety out of 771 eligible publications were included on the basis of inclusion criteria. The results highlight that (1) research on this phenomenon is very recent and underdeveloped in Europe, (2) theoretical and conceptual frameworks are poorly developed and extended, (3) there is a significant impact of violence characteristics (e.g., severity, type) on help-seeking, and (4) help-seeking is a complex and multifactorial process influenced by a wide range of factors simultaneously individual and social. To conclude, these findings lead us to propose a psychosocial conceptualization of the help-seeking process by indicating how the levels of explanation approach in social psychology can be applied to this field of research in order to increase our understanding of this phenomenon.

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