Intimate Partner Violence and Social Pressure among Gay Men in Six Countries

Abstract

IntroductionRecent research suggests that men who have sex with men (MSM) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at significantly higher rates than heterosexual men. Few studies, however, have investigated implications of heterosexist social pressures – namely, homophobic discrimination, internalized homophobia, and heterosexism – on risk for IPV among MSM, and no previous studies have examined cross-national variations in the relationship between IPV and social pressure. This paper examines reporting of IPV and associations with social pressure among a sample of internet-recruited MSM in the United States (U.S.), Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil.MethodsWe recruited internet-using MSM from 6 countries through selective banner advertisements placed on Facebook. Eligibility criteria were men age over 18 reporting sex with a man in the past year. Of the 2,771 eligible respondents, 2,368 had complete data and were included in the analysis. Three outcomes were examined: reporting recent experience of physical violence, sexual violence, and recent perpetration of physical violence. The analysis focused on associations between reporting of IPV and experiences of homophobic discrimination, internalized homophobia, and heteronormativity.ResultsReporting of experiencing physical IPV ranged from 5.75% in the U.S. to 11.75% in South Africa, while experiencing sexual violence was less commonly reported and ranged from 2.54% in Australia to 4.52% in the U.S. Perpetration of physical violence ranged from 2.47% in the U.S. to 5.76% in South Africa. Experiences of homophobic discrimination, internalized homophobia, and heteronormativity were found to increase odds of reporting IPV in all countries.ConclusionThere has been little data on IPV among MSM, particularly MSM living in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the lack of consensus in demographic correlates of violence reporting, heterosexist social pressures were found to significantly increase odds of reporting IPV in all countries. These findings show the universality of violence reporting among MSM across countries, and highlight the unique role of heteronormativity as a risk factor for violence reporting among MSM. The results demonstrate that using internet-based surveys to reach MSM is feasible for certain areas, although modified efforts may be required to reach diverse samples of MSM.

When Intimate Partner Violence Meets Same Sex Couples: A Review of Same Sex Intimate Partner Violence

“…Chard et al (2012), in their transnational research, evidenced the differences in prevalence rates among various countries: participants were recruited through advertisements on Facebook in the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Republic of South Africa (RSA), Brazil, Nigeria, Kenya, and India. Their findings showed similar rates between United States and the other nations, while the rate of physical abuse appeared to be similar or more likely to occur in Australia, Brazil, Republic of South Africa, and the United Kingdom than in the United States.…”

Frequency of self-reported sexual aggression and victimization in Brazil: a literature review

“…One group of studies found that white individuals were significantly less likely to report sexual victimization 3,13,26 . A second group of studies found no significant difference in victimization rates according to skin color 21,30,34,35,36 . A third group (four studies) did not test for statistical significance and found contradictory differences in rates.…”

“…Twenty-six studies included women only, four studies men only, and 11 studies both women and men (Table 2). Five studies addressed same-sex sexual aggression 13,14,29,34,35 , and 12 studies provided information on race issues 3,13,21,23,24,26,30,32,34,35,36,37 .…”

“…Two studies included female respondents only, three studies included men and women, and four studies included men only. Specific social groups were addressed by seven studies: university students 14,38,40,43 , pregnant women 44 , men who have sex with men 35 , and HIV-positive men who have sex with women 45 .…”

A review of the syndemic components of male same-sex intimate partner violence

“…A study of MSSIPV in six countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and Brazil reported rates of MSSIPV similar to the United States. [19] Generalizability of these results to U.S. populations is limited because of the different cultural structures in these countries.…”