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

Page M.J., McKenzie J.E., Bossuyt P.M., Boutron I., Hoffmann T.C., Mulrow C.D., Shamseer L., Tetzlaff J.M., Akl E.A., Brennan S.E., Chou R., Glanville J., Grimshaw J.M., Hróbjartsson A., Lalu M.M., et. al.

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, published in 2009, was designed to help systematic reviewers transparently report why the review was done, what the authors did, and what they found. Over the past decade, advances in systematic review methodology and terminology have necessitated an update to the guideline. The PRISMA 2020 statement replaces the 2009 statement and includes new reporting guidance that reflects advances in methods to identify, select, appraise, and synthesise studies. The structure and presentation of the items have been modified to facilitate implementation. In this article, we present the PRISMA 2020 27-item checklist, an expanded checklist that details reporting recommendations for each item, the PRISMA 2020 abstract checklist, and the revised flow diagrams for original and updated reviews.

Rollè L., Santoniccolo F., Trombetta T.

Battista S.D., Paolini D., Pivetti M., Biondi P., Balsamo M., Carlucci L., Cigliano I.A., Mazzoni S.

The study aims to provide a preliminary examination of the psychometric properties of the Italian version of Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse (MMEA) and aims to investigate consequences ...

Rollè L., Santoniccolo F., D'Amico D., Trombetta T.

Hine B., Bates E.A., Wallace S.

While previous studies have begun to provide evidence on the experiences of male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), current understanding in this area is still limited, and subject to narrow methods of inquiry. Moreover, little is known regarding the challenges of providing support to men in abusive relationships, and how barriers to effective service engagement are experienced by both men and service practitioners. This is an important area for exploration, as the gender-specific experiences and needs of men have been historically overlooked within academic research and service provision. The present study therefore had two principal aims: first, to provide more detailed information regarding the nature and context of abuse toward, and help-seeking experiences of, male victims, and second, to explore the experiences of those supporting abused men. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four call handlers at a U.K. domestic abuse charity supporting male victims. Transcribed interviews were subjected to thematic analysis, revealing a superordinate theme of stereotypes and expectations of men which affected all the other three overarching and eight subthemes, including those detailing the range and severity of abuse suffered, the role of family and friends, barriers to reporting for abused men, and challenges in supporting them. Implications for services working with male victims of DVA are discussed: centered around the need for recognition, increased awareness, increased resourcing, and the provision of gender-inclusive services catering for the gender-specific needs of men.

Hine B., Noku L., Bates E.A., Jayes K.

Gendered models of abuse describe intimate partner violence (IPV) as unilaterally perpetrated by dominant, aggressive men toward vulnerable women. This unidirectional conceptualization has contributed to a “domestic violence stereotype” which, alongside broader attitudes regarding gender, influences attitudes toward “non-typical” victim and perpetrator groups (e.g., male victims, female perpetrators, those within same-sex relationships), and has significant outcomes for help-seeking decision-making, as well as responses from service providers and the criminal justice system. While prevalence data and research suggest bidirectional violence is in fact the most common pattern, there is still little known about how the stereotypes and attitudes described above manifest in scenarios where both parties occupy “victim” and “perpetrator” labels. The present pilot study therefore asked 178 undergraduate students to allocate “victim” and “perpetrator” labels, and make judgments of severity, resolution, and justice outcomes, toward hypothetical opposite-sex IPV scenarios varying on the proportion of abuse perpetrated by each party, and type of violence. Results showed that participants were infrequently labelled men as “victims,” and women as “perpetrators,” across scenarios. They were also less likely to recommend that the man should call the police. These exploratory results suggest that powerful stereotypes about IPV and gender may serve to influence perceptions of bidirectional violence and point to a need to study this issue in more detail to elucidate the most appropriate way to begin to address these issues.

Ching B.H., Xu J.T., Chen T.T., Kong K.H.

Although research on prejudice against gender and sexual minorities has been increasing in recent years, little attention has been paid to predictors for transprejudice and its potential culture-specific correlates in particular. This cross-sectional study addressed these gaps in the literature by exploring the relative contributions of social dominance orientation, authoritarianism, filial piety, and essentialist beliefs of gender to negative attitudes toward transgender people in 371 Chinese participants. Path analyses showed that (a) consistent with previous research, authoritarianism and social dominance orientation made independent contributions to explaining variance in transprejudice; (b) filial piety, as a culture-specific variable, was a unique predictor for transprejudice beyond the effects of authoritarianism and social dominance orientation; and (c) these relations appeared to be mediated by gender essentialism. Our findings suggest that people with higher levels of authoritarianism and social dominance orientation tend to have stronger essentialist beliefs of gender, which may in turn contribute to the development of transprejudice. It also highlights the importance of identifying culture-specific predictors (e.g., filial piety in a Chinese context) when we attempt to understand transprejudice.

Donovan C., Barnes R.

Despite growing research into domestic violence and abuse (DVA) in lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans (LGB and/or T) people’s relationships, LGB and/or T people remain largely invisible in DVA policy and practice. Research evidence indicates that they primarily seek help from privatised sources such as counsellors/therapists and friends. The gap in knowledge about LGB and/or T victims/survivors’ help-seeking reflects and reinforces the success of neoliberal trends in privatising social problems by promoting self-care and individual responsibility. Using qualitative data from a mixed-methods UK study, this article offers an ecological analysis of LGB and/or T victims/survivors’ help-seeking decisions and barriers, demonstrating how cisgendered heteronormativity and LGBT invisibility permeate help-seeking at individual, interpersonal and socio-cultural levels. The conclusion argues for LGBT DVA to be recognised as a social problem rather than a private trouble. Recommendations are offered for necessary steps towards better recognising and supporting LGB and/or T victims/survivors.

Rollè L., Giardina G., Caldarera A.M., Gerino E., Brustia P.

Cannon C.E.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine available services for LGBTQ clients in domestic violence batterer intervention programs across North America and to ascertain which theoretical models informed these services.MethodData collected from the North American Survey of DomesticViolence Intervention Programs were analyzed using deductive and inductive coding. Using guidelines established by the American Association for Public Opinion Research, the response rate for mailings was 20% and for e-mails was 45%.ResultsRespondents indicated a range of approaches to LGBTQ clients from doing nothing specific to serving LGBTQ clients with one-on-one sessions.ConclusionsRecommendations include more LGBTQ facilitators, developing curricula that addresses homophobia, issues related to family of origin, and foster methods of outreach to the LGBTQ community to make those affected aware of treatment possibilities. Moreover, evidence suggests a disconnect between practitioners and researchers when it comes to defining and treating the problem of intimate partner violence in LGBTQ relationships.ImplicationsPractitioners should not only undergo cultural training and provide LGBTQ-specific curricula, but also engage how and why such social inequality exists and persists. Further implications for policy and treatment are discussed.

Coston B.M.

Using data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (Walters et al., 2013), this study theoretically tests reasons for non-monosexual women’s (N = 492) disparate rates of post-...

Rollè L., Giardina G., Caldarera A.M., Gerino E., Brustia P.

Over the past few decades, the causes of and intervention for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) have been approached and studied. This paper presents a narrative review on IPV occurring in same sex couples, that is, same sex IPV (SSIPV). Despite the myth that IPV is exclusively an issue in heterosexual relationships, many studies have revealed the existence of IPV among lesbian and gay couples, and its incidence is comparable to (Turell, 2000) or higher than that among heterosexual couples (Kelley et al., 2012; Messinger, 2011). While similarities between heterosexual and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) IPV were found, unique features and dynamics were present in LGB IPV. Such features are mainly related to identification and treatment of SSIPV in the community and to the need of taking into consideration the role of sexual minority stressors. Our findings show there is a lack of studies that address LGB individuals involved in IPV; this is mostly due to the silence that has historically existed around violence in the LGB community, a silence built on fears and myths that have obstructed a public discussion on the phenomenon. We identified the main themes discussed in the published studies that we have reviewed here. The reviews lead us to the conclusion that it is essential to create a place where this subject can be freely discussed and approached, both by LGB and heterosexual people.

Messinger A.M.

While research repeatedly finds that intimate partner violence (IPV) rates are elevated in same-gender relationships (SG-IPV) and in the relationships of sexual minorities (SM-IPV), it is ...

Estes M.L., Webber G.R.

Same-sex intimate partner violence (IPV) lacks mainstream news media coverage. News media report on those stories that are most prominent, and these stories are often shaped and presented within a White, heterosexual, upper-class, male framework. This framework largely ignores or misrepresents those that do not fit these characteristics, resulting in a gap in research and coverage of same-sex IPV. This article explores whether U.S. newspapers cover same-sex IPV, how often, and how same-sex couple violence is portrayed in newspapers when covered. Twenty-five newspaper articles published from 2005 to 2015, 10 years prior to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage, were located and analyzed. Findings indicate sparse newspaper coverage of IPV in same-sex couples. Ten articles highlight the lack of coverage and knowledge related to same-sex couple IPV. Eighteen articles address same-sex IPV as a social issue and highlight resource concerns, police involvement, and heteronormativity and heterosexism. Sixteen articles depict specific instances of IPV in same-sex couples. The overall lack of coverage and how same-sex IPV is covered remains problematic and limited. More mainstream and accurate coverage is needed to effectively address this social issue. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.

Furman E., Barata P., Wilson C., Fante-Coleman T.

Lim G., Lusby S., Carman M., Bourne A.

LGBTQ victim-survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) encounter numerous obstacles to accessing professionalized support, including internal factors that engender reluctance to engage in professionalized services. This gap in knowledge constitutes a limiting factor to the uptake of these services, even when significant effort has been made to accommodate these individuals. Semi-structured life history interviews were conducted with ( N  = 30) LGBTQ victim-survivors aged 19–79 years with recent (<2 years) and/or ongoing IPV experiences. These factors functionally curtailed access to appropriate support, even when available. The implementation of inclusive services must be attentive to and address affective barriers encountered by LGBTQ victim-survivors

Trombetta T., Taccini F., Mannarini S., Rollè L.

Trombetta T., Fusco C., Rollè L., Santona A.

Introduction: Several studies point to an association between minority stress, especially internalized homonegativity and the quality of the couple relationship. However, the dimensions of psychological functioning that might moderate this relationship seem to be scarcely explored. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the association between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality by examining the moderating role of adult attachment (dimensions of anxiety and avoidance) in lesbian and gay (LG) people. Materials and Methods: A total of 674 LG participants who had been in a couple relationship for at least 12 months were included in the study and completed self-report questionnaires. Results: The results show a direct negative effect of internalized homonegativity on relationship quality. Adult attachment seems to moderate this relationship: on the one hand, the negative relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality is significant at high levels of anxious attachment, but not at low levels. On the other hand, the negative relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality turns out to be significant at low levels of avoidant attachment, but not at high levels. Discussion: The results suggest that attachment anxiety and avoidance play different roles in the relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality. While high levels of anxious attachment appear to be a risk factor, high levels of avoidant attachment seem to play a protective role. Although future studies are needed to investigate the present preliminary findings further, the results of the present study provide useful clinical and research insights.

Fávero M., Oliveira R., Del Campo A., Fernandes A., Moreira D., Lanzarote-Fernández M.D., Sousa-Gomes V.

Objectives: Violence in intimate relationships (IPV) is understood as one of the most common forms of violence, being maintained by cultural habits and customs, and legitimized from generation to generation. This study aims at a comprehensive review of the literature on IPV, the relationship between the stages of change, maintenance factors, and the decision to keep or leave the violent partner. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify journal articles focused on IPV, following online databases as well as a manual review from relevant peer-reviewed journals. Results: Seeking help is one of the main steps in the process of change, and the stages of change are directly related to the success of interventions, so identifying stages early provides a more appropriate and effective choice of intervention. Conclusions: Thus, evaluating the stage of preparation for the change in which the victims are found is important for the individual understanding of the experience and supporting the intervention. In this sense, the Domestic Violence Survivor Assessment (DVSA) will also be presented, an instrument for evaluating the process of intentional change in victims of IPV, using the TTM.

Worrell S., Bourne A.

Community-controlled organisations provide crucial services to support the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and other sexual and/or gender minority (LGBTIQ +) people. A strength of such organisations and their practitioners (many of whom are LGBTIQ +) is their cultural expertise, which can help to identify, understand and address the specific needs of LGBTIQ + clients, including in relation to family violence. While much discussion about standards of care for LGBTIQ + people has focused on a need for mainstream service providers and their non-LGBTIQ + practitioners to become more “culturally competent”, less has considered how clients experience services at community-controlled organisations. In this article, we draw on 19 semi-structured interviews with clients of family violence services at an LGBTIQ + community-controlled organisation in Melbourne, Australia, to explore their perceptions of specialist LGBTIQ + services. Eleven participants were cisgender men, six were cisgender women and two were trans or gender diverse. In terms of sexual orientation, ten self-described as gay, one homosexual, two queer, three lesbian, one bisexual, one asexual and one preferred not to say. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns of service experience. Our research shows that participants felt that specialist services were most effective when they were informed about, affirming of and focused on the identities and specific health needs of LGBTIQ + clients. Participants had experienced what they perceived to be effective services within the context of LGBTIQ + community-controlled organisations, though felt that “mainstream” service providers were also potentially capable of providing good-quality support. A concerted effort on the part of these providers to embed culturally competent and LGBTIQ + -friendly practices into their services would help them achieve this outcome. Specialist support was most visible in the context of LGBTIQ + community-controlled organisations but also possible in other health and wellbeing settings, which is promising for mainstream service providers and practitioners seeking to provide more inclusive care for LGBTIQ + people. The insight of clients in this research is something that can potentially contribute to further discussion about the continued work both of LGBTIQ + community-controlled organisations and mainstream services.

Muñoz-Fernández N., Sánchez-Jiménez V.

McGray T.L., Hutton B., Dodge B., Koss M.P.

Brunton R., Shin M.

Patterson T.P., Lappin A., Cole B.P.

D’Cruz C.R., Hammond M.D., Dixon L.

People in the LGBTQIA+ community (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other gender/sexual minorities) experience greater rates of intimate partner aggression (IPA) than the general population and have fewer help-seeking pathways available. The current research examined the extent to which LGBTQIA+ people’s perceptions of barriers to help-seeking were associated with perceptions of societal heteronormativity—the belief that being cisgender and heterosexual is the norm—and whether the source of support was formal (e.g., police, counselors) versus informal (e.g., friends, family). The current research was conducted in two parts. In the first part of the study (Study 1a), structural equation modeling indicated a significant positive association between perceived societal heteronormativity and self-focused barriers (e.g., feeling too ashamed or guilty to seek help) but not with other-focused barriers (e.g., expecting unfair treatment). Instead, LGBTQIA+ people perceived greater other-focused barriers when considering formal compared to informal sources of support. In the second part of the study (Study 1b), we interviewed 10 LGBTQIA+ people about barriers to help-seeking for IPA. A reflexive thematic analysis identified four themes: (1) Who can hold the status of being a “victim”?; (2) The heightened importance of autonomy; (3) Formal supports need LGBTQIA+ competency; and (4) Judged by the outside in. The themes illustrated unique barriers experienced by LGBTQIA+ people when judging possible harm, choosing whether to seek help, and actual help-seeking. Altogether, current help-seeking pathways for IPA are generally inaccessible to people in the LGBTQIA+ community. IPA interventions for the LGBTQIA+ community require awareness of stigma, improved education for informal and formal support pathways, and the development of community-led interventions.

Santoniccolo F., Rollè L.

Abstract Purpose Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) show a heightened risk of disordered eating compared to heterosexual and cisgender people, a disparity which may be caused by exposure to minority-specific stressors, such as discrimination and violence. This systematic review aims to summarize available evidence on the role of minority stress in disordered eating and SGM-specific aspects. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, scientific search engines (EBSCO, PUBMED, Web of Science) were screened up to 31st of January 2024, including English-language original research papers containing analyses of the relationship between minority stress and disordered eating. 2416 records were gathered for screening. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, thematic analysis was conducted regarding 4 research questions: effects of minority stress on disordered eating, mediating factors, specificities of SGMs and differences between identity categories. Results 30 studies were included. Several aspects of minority stress are reliably associated with different forms of disordered eating. The relationship between minority stressors and disordered eating is mediated by aspects such as shame, body shame, or negative affect. SGMs show several specificities, such as the presence of a role of LGBTQIA + communities and additional gender-related pressures. Bisexual people and gender minorities appear to feature comparatively higher risks, and gender-related factors shape paths leading to disordered eating risk. Conclusion Minority stress is an important predictor of disordered eating, making SGM people’s health particularly at risk. Institutional and organizational anti-discrimination policies are needed, as well as further research. Clinical interventions may benefit from exploring and incorporating how minority stressors impact SGM people. Evidence level I—Systematic review.

Hine B.A., Hoppe I., Russell B.

In recent years, there has been growing acknowledgement of so-called hidden survivors of domestic and sexual violence, specifically those that fall outside of stereotypical conceptualisations of prototypical victims (i.e., cis-gendered, heterosexual women). As a result of this recognition, research on the experiences of LGBT survivors has flourished. This chapter seeks to bring together a contemporaneous understanding of the experiences of LGBT survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including on (a) the prevalence of violence in this community, (b) their experiences of violence, (c) the impact violence has upon them in relation to both mental health and physical health, and other psychological and social factors, and (d) their experiences of help-seeking (and barriers to this), including within the criminal justice system. Finally, the authors will provide key recommendations for practice and future research, so that academics, practitioners, and policymakers can better support this population.

Laliga-Mollá M., San Martín-Martínez C., Coll-Planas G., Medina-Martín R.

Dasgupta S., Melvin E.

The current article reviews the extant literature on technology’s role in service provision and advocacy for young adults who are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). The article looks at preferences and patterns of access and utilization of digitally mediated communication among young adults to explore optimal IPV services and mitigation strategies for providing crisis counseling to this demographic and offering support over time. An understanding of technology’s role in support provision can help to design best practices and offer recommendations that can best serve the needs of Generation Z victims of violence.

Lim G., Lusby S., Carman M., Bourne A.

Abstract Purpose IPV constitutes a serious health concern for LGBTQ populations within Australia, yet inclusive service provision remains sparsely and unevenly accessible to victim-survivors. While poor availability and accessibility of inclusive services is widely recognized as an issue facing LGBTQ victim-survivors, few researchers have examined the structural or systemic basis of this problem. The current piece seeks to explore the structural conditions obstructing inclusive service provision to LGBTQ victim-survivors, from the perspective of service providers. Method N = 19 interviews were conducted with N = 21 key personnel with affiliations to a variety of: (i) general population service organizations, (ii) community-led service organizations and (ii) advisory or convening groups. Interviews explored the structural conditions of the IPV service sector, focusing on barriers and enablers to implementing inclusive service provision for LGBTQ populations. Results Three broad factors that obstructed or curtailed inclusive service implementation were identified. These were namely: (i) resistance from both internal and external sources around inclusive practice, (ii) accommodating keeping demands in resource constrained contexts, and (ii) political will and LGBTQ visibility within official policy. Responses to these challenges on the organizational level were sometimes sufficient to meaningfully – though only partially – ameliorate these factors, but seldom addressed the structural conditions that necessitate such responses. Conclusion Inclusive service provision is a crucial element of victim-survivor recovery. The sporadic accessibility of such services within Australia can be attributed to several core features of sector and policy landscapes, which demand a significant degree of inter-organizational collaboration and collective advocacy to overcome.