Contextualizing Cisgender Women's Histories of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization With Men and Women

Violence Against Women. 2023 Dec;29(15-16):3244-3262. doi: 10.1177/10778012231199110. Epub 2023 Sep 14.

Abstract

Sexual minoritized women (SMW) are more likely than exclusively heterosexual women to experience intimate partner violence (IPV). We conducted in-depth interviews with a clinic-based sample of plurisexual SMW (n = 25) ages 18 to 34 about the gender of their perpetrators. Participants primarily experienced physical and sexual IPV in relationships with men and emotional abuse in relationships with women. IPV perpetrated by men often included weapons with women fearing for their lives. Offering patients information about IPV resources and supports that do not make assumptions about women's sexualities may create more opportunity for empathic and effective communication with SMW experiencing IPV.

Keywords: binegativity; intimate partner violence; minority stress; sexual identity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Crime Victims*
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • Heterosexuality
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence* / psychology
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology