Oppression and Barriers to Service for Black, Lesbian Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

This narrative study identified service barriers from the perspectives of 16 Black lesbian survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Qualitative analysis revealed diverse interrelated barriers similar to those identified by service providers in a previous study by the authors, including societal barriers such as heterosexism, and institutional barriers such as ambiguous policy. Results indicate that the theory of intersectionality is best poised to frame an investigation of the complex barriers encountered by these survivors. Resultsalso demonstrate that although these women desire to receive services, current inequities prevent them from accessing support and further endanger, victimize, and isolate them. Strategies for improving services and reaching culturally diverse survivors are also discussed.

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

“…Some interventions were addressed to a specific ethnic group, such as Asians (Chung and Lee, 1999; Lee and Utarti, 2003; Cheung et al, 2009), or black people (Helfrich and Simpson, 2014). Moreover, IPV services where more accessible in urban centers where the LGB community was well developed and rooted than in rural areas (Jeffries and Kay, 2010; Ford et al, 2013).…”

“…McClennen et al (2002) identified that a 7–33% of the victims evaluated the health system support as valid. Several studies highlighted that many interventions were perceived as unsatisfying because of homophobic (Tigert, 2001; Helfrich and Simpson, 2006, 2014) or superficial attitudes, denying the seriousness of the violence—“women are not as violent to one another” and “men can protect themselves” (Chung et al, 2008; Fonseca et al, 2010). These findings are consistent with Seelau and Seelau (2005) that considers perpetrators as more aggressive if the victim was a woman instead of a man.…”

A systematic review on LGBTIQ Intimate Partner Violence from a Western perspective

“…Few studies presented robust data about the proportion of LGBTIQ victims across a range of demographic characteristics (Morin, 2014;Ijoma, 2018;Simpson & Helfrich, 2014;Frankland & Brown, 2014). Further, little was said about the perpetrators of violence in any robust and specific way with regard to their demographic characteristics.…”

“…Further, little was said about the perpetrators of violence in any robust and specific way with regard to their demographic characteristics. Within the literature, those experiencing IPV from minority groups remain hidden, even within the LGBTIQ community (Ijoma, 2018;Simpson & Helfrich, 2014). In addition to the general invisibility they experience from the mainstream, these individuals face barriers due to their age, race and ethnicity, geographical location, and education levels (Ijoma, 2018;Simpson & Helfrich, 2014).…”

“…Within the literature, those experiencing IPV from minority groups remain hidden, even within the LGBTIQ community (Ijoma, 2018;Simpson & Helfrich, 2014). In addition to the general invisibility they experience from the mainstream, these individuals face barriers due to their age, race and ethnicity, geographical location, and education levels (Ijoma, 2018;Simpson & Helfrich, 2014). For example, Black lesbians discussed limited levels of education within their communities that promoted homophobic attitudes (Simpson & Helfrich, 2014).…”