LBGTQ Intimate Partner Violence on the Rise Post-Pandemic

The majority of the domestic violence awareness movement has been centered on heterosexual couples, often leaving out members of the LGBTQ community despite recent research showing an increase in queer intimate partner violence since the onset of the recent pandemic. 

“Sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, and increased frequency of intimate partner violence among LGBTQ people in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: A brief report” a new study from Rutgers University published online ahead of print in the Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, found that there has been a significant rise in the frequency of intimate partner violence (IPV) and intimate partner sexual abuse (IPSA) in queer and same-gender relationships.

Out of the 1,090 LGBTQ people who were surveyed online anonymously, nearly one in 11 people said they were currently in a relationship where IPV was present. Out of those who specified being in a relationship with IPV, more than 18% indicated an increase in frequency since the start of the pandemic. “Respondents in the Southern U.S., and those with more severe depressive symptoms, were more likely to report an increased frequency of IPV victimization.” Rutgers states. 

LGBTQ populations have often experienced hardship and adversity when trying to access adequate health care. “Research shows that LGBT people face barriers to seeking help that are unique to their sexual orientation and gender identity,” UCLA Williams Institute shares. “These include:

• Legal definitions of domestic violence that exclude same-sex couples
• Dangers of ‘outing’ oneself when seeking help and the risk of rejection and isolation from family, friends, and society
• The lack of, or survivors not knowing about, LGBT-specific or LGBT-friendly assistance resources
• Potential homophobia from staff of service providers or from non-LGBT survivors of IPV and IPSA with whom they may interact
• Low levels of confidence in the sensitivity and effectiveness of law enforcement officials and courts for LGBT people”

Due to the limited amount of research and understanding about IPV and IPSA in the queer community, it is difficult to get healthcare providers, researchers, and legislative officials to see what a widespread issue it is becoming. Additionally, it can be even harder to validate and show visual support to those struggling in a relationship with IPV present. 

“Intimate partner violence interventions need to address that LGBTQ people are not monolithic in terms of many factors, including environments in which they live,” Perry N. Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health, says. “Now more than ever given the attacks on LGBTQ people by politicians, the work we are doing at our research center CHIBPS is as important as ever.”