Understanding LGBTIQ Rights and Challenges

This assignment provides an overview of the challenges faced by LGBTIQ individuals in the workplace, including statistics on discrimination and recommendations for addressing these issues. It also highlights government policies and proposed solutions to promote equality and inclusion.

Running head: INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
Introduction
IVP or intimate partner violence is identified as a significant issue that has
considerable mental and physical consequences for the witnesses and more so for the victim.
The mainstream research has been concerned with the gender-based violence encountered by
women in a heterosexual relationship (O'HALLORAN, 2015). As a corollary, the
conversation around the incidents of intimate partner violence in the queer remains largely
unaddressed and worsens due to the lack vigorous interventions by the state and non-state
actors. The paper is set in the backdrop of domestic abuse and intimate partner violence
among the LGBTIQ in Australia. The paper commences with the understanding of the
representation and associated connotations with the community, followed by an outlining of
the human rights provision guaranteed under UNHCR (United Nations Human Rights) and an
investigation into the nature and magnitude of IVP and DVA (Domestic violence and abuse)
in the queer community.
LGBTIQ – Background
The term LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexual) refers to
gender diverse or sexually diverse communities who popularly are known as the queer
community. This community represents a wide diversity and uses a range of terminologies
and vocabulary to describe the gender identity, ascribed sexual identity, sexuality and sexual
practice of the individuals. Although, many queer individuals in the western culture identify
with one identity or the other, many individuals in the community do not identify themselves
with any of the labels present in the umbrella terms of LGBTIQ. According to Horsely et al.,
(2016) in Australia, people of diverse orientations and sex constitutes of 11 per cent of the
population. They further argue that even if the victims from the queer community approach

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
the General Practitioners (GPs), the latter might lack adequate knowledge to cater to their
needs
LGBTI - HUMAN Rights as per world forum (UN)
According to the United Nations Resolution people from diverse gender identities and
sexual orientations are guaranteed protection (OHCHR | LGBT UN Resolutions., 2018). On
June 30, 2016, UNHCR provisioned that no individual shall be discriminated based on his or
her diverse identities (UN Makes History on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, 2018).
They established an independent expert to look into the plight of the queer community. It was
felt that there is an urgent need to bring to attention, the discrimination and exclusion faced
by the non-conforming persons of all regions of the world. This was perceived as a historic
resolution in the commitment towards equality.
Intimate partner violence or domestic violence among the LGBTIQ in Australia
Domestic violence among the LGBTIQ groups are largely invisibilized due to and
therefore, they have been ignored from the government policies and interventions. The
academic scholarship on intimate partner violence has remained silent about the plight of the
victims of intimate partner violence (IVP) among the
homosexual groups. This invisibilization and lack of
understanding of the issue can be attributed to the
heteronormative worldview of relationships. Domestic
violence and Abuse (DVA) has largely focussed on the plight
of the heterosexual couples. In case of transgender women,
their experience of abuse and domestic violence largely goes
unacknowledged (Brown & Herman, 2015). Service providers
are not trained to cater to such inclusive services. Riggs et al,
Did You Know?
The first seminal work on
intimate partner violence
among the queer
community was titled
lesbian battering that
brought together the
articulations of the
practitioners and grassroot
level activists in the
context of USA.

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
(2016), in their study found that the experiences of the trans-people are glaringly under-
reported. It is argued that transgender people may be prone to greater violence compared to
their cis-gender counterparts. Due to the culture stigma, shrouding the lives of the
homosexual community, they are less likely to report about their everyday experiences of
violence fearing counter-reaction and shaming from the mainstream society. Due to this
ideology, there is a gap in understanding abusive relationships outside the framework of
heteronormative relationships. Scholars have further argued that multiple marginalities make
the victims more prone to violence.
It is unfortunate that Australian Bureau Statistics Personal Safety Survey (2013) are
not involved in collecting data on the problems pertaining to the LGBTIQ. Similarly, the
International Violence against women ahs remained oblivious to this widely prevalent issue.
It was only with the intervention of the Australian Research Centre for Health and Sexuality
(ARCHS) that the magnitude of the issue came in the limelight. According to the national
survey 28 per cent individuals who identify themselves as female and 41 per cent individuals
who identify themselves as males have been subjected to corporeal violence in the same-sex
relationship. Further, it was found that 25 per cent of the participants have been subjected to
sexual assault in the same-sex relationship. In case female identifying respondents and trans
respondents, the intensity was greater. According to Szalacha et al., (2017), around 78 per
cent of the abuse faced by the queer partners in intimate relationships are psychological
whereas 58 per cent of the abuse are of physical in nature. Intimate
partner violence in lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer
communities, 2018). According to Donovan & Barnes, (2017) 26
per cent respondents have been subjected to sexual violence in the
Did You Know?
Lesbian women are
more likely to report
about IVP compared
to gay men.

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
same-sex relationship. Therefore, these findings reiterate that violence among the LGBTIQ
community is at par with the heterosexual population.
The feminist understanding of IVP (Intimate Partner Violence) is understood to be an
outcome of the patriarchal structure. According to the feminist lens of domestic violence
gender inequality prevalent in the society along with the gender, binaries and enacting the
gender roles are reasons for violence. It is not just the state, the academia or the mainstream
society that has remained oblivious to the rising incidents of domestic violence among the
LGBTIQ but also the community themselves have been unable to recognize the incidence
and magnitude of violence persisting within intimate partner relationships (Badenes-Ribera et
al., 2016). Scholars and activists have identified the terms coercive control and intimate
terrorism to understand the nature of intimate partner violence among the community. These
terms underline that violence among intimate partners is an outcome of coercion, control and
power and that violence has sexual, emotional and physical underpinnings (Donovan &
Barnes, 2017). This framework of understanding the layers and nuances of gender violence
has been the most refined and insightful approach until now. It is argued that the DVA
survivors belonging to different communities and possessing diverse orientations are in need
of the same kind of resources and support. However, the service providers have the
responsibility to understand the distinctive lifeworld of the clients. The nature of violence
prevalent among the transgender community is different and therefore, the service providers
need o be sensitive while dealing with such clients (Rees et al., 2016). It is found that the
identity of the transgender becomes a cause of inflicting violence and abuse on the person.
One of the reasons for which there is a silence within the community is the fear of coming out
in the open about their identity and pushed to further trauma and victimization.
Recently the Queensland government has spent $155, 000 for the training of frontline
workers to ensure that there is much more better response to address the cause of the intimate

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
partner violence among the LGBTIQ. The Government has decided to equip frontline
workers so that they are able to identify family violence in the LGBTIQ community and
urgently responds to the victim, children and also the perpetrators of violence. This
responsibility has been entrusted to Queensland Aids Council, there needs to be an
appropriate, and target support services for the homosexual community.
Conclusion
The paper tried to raise attention the pertinent issue of intimate partner violence
among the queer individuals with a special focus on Australia. It was found that the incidents
of sexual violence are quite alarming among the queer community and it is stigma and the
heteronormative understanding of domestic abuse that is keeping away state and non-state
actors from making interventions.

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
Advertisements
Healthcare & LGBTIQ
This advertisement encourages the gay men to be aware about their health and exhorts
the gay community to actively participate in awareness about HIV-Aids.
Source- (ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyXrxaXpRJ8)

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
Third gender in Samoa
This encapsulates the experience of Fa’afafine who is born as a boy but identifies a
girl. It details the violence inflicted and the stigma faced by the samoan boys who do not
conform to their ascribed gender identity.
Source- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9xvkCa63Js)

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
Sexuality Education including LGBTI
This advertisement addresses the poignant snippets of gender non-conforming
students and the diversity within the community. They urge their educators to be more
sensitive towards their identities. The advertisement highlights their exhortation for right to
live with respect and dignity within the educational institution.
Source- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnbnF8QAnsY)

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
Workplace rights and LGBTIQ
This content centres around the statistics of workplace discrimination faced by the LGBTIQ.
I also documents the policies adopted by the Columbian Government and proposes
recommendations to deal with such issues
Source- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1e86d3U13U)

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
Domestic Violence, Human rights and LGBTI.
This focuses on the abuse faced by a gay person from his partner and his trauma following
the incident. It also highlights his fear of being stigmatized for communicating this to his
family and the severe mental health condition that he to bear due to his sexual orientation.
Source- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-w-uP3nvZ)

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
References
Badenes-Ribera, L., Bonilla-Campos, A., Frias-Navarro, D., Pons-Salvador, G., & Monterde-
i-Bort, H. (2016). Intimate partner violence in self-identified lesbians: A systematic
review of its prevalence and correlates. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 17(3), 284-297.
Brown, T., & Herman, J. (2015). Intimate partner violence and sexual abuse among LGBT
people. Los Angeles, CA: The Williams Institute.
Donovan, C., & Barnes, R. (2017). Domestic violence and abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual
and/or transgender (LGB and/or T) relationships. Sexualities, 1363460716681491.
Edwards, K. M., Sylaska, K. M., & Neal, A. M. (2015). Intimate partner violence among
sexual minority populations: A critical review of the literature and agenda for future
research. Psychology of Violence, 5(2), 112.
Intimate partner violence in lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer communities.
(2018). Child Family Community Australia. Retrieved 1 April 2018, from
https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/intimate-partner-violence-lgbtiq-communities
Lewis, R. J., Mason, T. B., Winstead, B. A., & Kelley, M. L. (2017). Empirical investigation
of a model of sexual minority specific and general risk factors for intimate partner
violence among lesbian women. Psychology of violence, 7(1), 110.
O'HALLORAN, K. (2015). Family violence in an LGBTIQ context.
OHCHR | LGBT UN Resolutions. (2018). Ohchr.org. Retrieved 1 April 2018, from
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Discrimination/Pages/LGBTUNResolutions.aspx

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INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG THE LGBTIQ
Rees, S., Fisher, J., Moussa, B., & Horsley, P. (2016). Intimate partner violence and LGBTIQ
people: raising awareness in general practice.
Riggs, D., Taylor, N., Fraser, H., Donovan, C., & Signal, T. (2018). The link between
domestic violence and abuse and animal cruelty in the intimate relationships of people
of diverse genders and/or sexualities: A bi-national study.Journal of Interpersonal
Violence.
Szalacha, L. A., Hughes, T. L., McNair, R., & Loxton, D. (2017). Mental health, sexual
identity, and interpersonal violence: Findings from the Australian longitudinal
Women’s health study. BMC women's health, 17(1), 94.
UN Makes History on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity .... Retrieved 2018, from
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/06/30/un-makes-history-sexual-orientation-gender-
identity