Contextualizing Cisgender Women's Histories of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization With Men and Women

Abstract

Sexual minoritized women (SMW) are more likely than exclusively heterosexual women to experience intimate partner violence (IPV). We conducted in-depth interviews with a clinic-based sample of plurisexual SMW ( n = 25) ages 18 to 34 about the gender of their perpetrators. Participants primarily experienced physical and sexual IPV in relationships with men and emotional abuse in relationships with women. IPV perpetrated by men often included weapons with women fearing for their lives. Offering patients information about IPV resources and supports that do not make assumptions about women's sexualities may create more opportunity for empathic and effective communication with SMW experiencing IPV.