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Intimate Partner Abuse in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Transgender and Two-Spirit (LGBQ/T and TS) Communities

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Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and two-spirit individuals are disproportionately impacted by multiple forms of violence and abuse, including intimate partner abuse. This section discusses the prevalence, severity, and types of abuse experienced by LGBQ/T and Two-Spirit individuals in the context of abusive partnerships. In particular, this section examines the dynamics of partner abuse in LGBQ/T and Two-Spirit communities, the partner-generated and structural barriers to safety, and the ways in which oppression, including ongoing forms of structural violence and discrimination, can compound abuse dynamics. In addition, the authors discuss the ways in which human service systems can, however unwittingly, inflict “sanctuary harm.” Finally, this section outlines a culturally responsive, trauma-informed set of principles to better serve survivors inclusive of all genders and all sexual orientations.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, MA, USA

    Erin C. Miller

  2. Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Xavier Quinn

  3. Center for Safety and Change, New City, NY, USA

    Elizabeth Rosa Santiago

Authors
  1. Erin C. Miller
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  2. Xavier Quinn
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  3. Elizabeth Rosa Santiago
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erin C. Miller .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma, San Diego, CA, USA

    Robert Geffner

  2. Department of Psychology College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA

    Jacquelyn W. White

  3. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger

  4. Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

    Alan Rosenbaum

  5. Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Viola Vaughan-Eden

  6. Education and Research, Zero Abuse Project, St. Paul, MN, USA

    Victor I. Vieth

Section Editor information

  1. University of North Carolina- Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA

    Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling

  2. Consultant, Alexandria, VA, USA

    Glenna Tinney

  3. College of Arts and Sciences - Society, Culture, and Language, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

    Shelly M. Wagers

  4. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger

  5. Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

    Alan Rosenbaum

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Miller, E.C., Quinn, X., Santiago, E.R. (2022). Intimate Partner Abuse in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Transgender and Two-Spirit (LGBQ/T and TS) Communities. In: Geffner, R., White, J.W., Hamberger, L.K., Rosenbaum, A., Vaughan-Eden, V., Vieth, V.I. (eds) Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89999-2_161

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