NCJ Number
232399
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2006 Pages: 193-208
Date Published
February 2006
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effects of intimate partner abuse on HIV risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals who are currently in an abusive relationship or who have recently been in an abusive relationship.
Abstract
To date, there has been little research examining HIV/STD risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals who are in abusive relationships. This article uses data collected from a community-based organization that provides counseling for LGBT victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). A total of 58 clients completed the survey, which inquired as to sexual violence and difficulties negotiating safer sex with their abusive partners. A large percentage of participants reported being forced by their partners to have sex (41 percent). Many stated that they felt unsafe to ask their abusive partners to use safer sex protection or that they feared their partners' response to safer sex (28 percent). In addition, many participants experienced sexual (19 percent), physical (21 percent), and/or verbal abuse (32 percent) as a direct consequence of asking their partner to use safer sex protection. Training counselors on issues of sexuality and safer sex will benefit victims of IPV. Table and references (Published Abstract)