LIT 10.1 - GBM IPV Experiences

Question 1

What is GBM and IPV?

Answer 1

gay and bisexual men (GBM)
intimate partner violence (IPV)

Question 2

What are the forms of IPV?

Answer 2

○ GBM Participants experienced similar forms of IPV as those reported in heterosexual relationships, including physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as coercive control.
○”Gaslighting” was a common tactic used by abusers.

Question 3

What are unique challengs for GBM experiencing IPV?

Answer 3

○Societal Perceptions:
■ Physical violence between men was often perceived as a “normal” expression of masculinity, leading to the trivialisation of abuse and a reluctance to report it.
■ Some participants felt that their muscular physique made it difficult for others to believe they were victims of IPV.

○Lack of Awareness: The absence of a clear “rape narrative” for men in same-sex relationships made it difficult for some participants to recognise sexual assault.
○
Financial Abuse and Heteronormative Assumptions: Participants who were the primary breadwinners in their relationships worried that this might lead to the assumption that they held more power, reflecting heteronormative views about gender roles.

Question 4

What is the impact of IPV on GBM wellbeing?

Answer 4

**Mental Health Consequences:
**■
Participants experienced various mental health issues during and after abusive relationships, including anxiety, panic disorders, eating disorders, self-harm, and a worsening of pre-existing conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder.
■
Long-term impacts included PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

**Physical Health Impacts:
**■
Physical injuries sustained during abuse continued to impact participants’ lives long after the relationships ended.
■
Some men experienced emotional distress related to scarring and other bodily changes, which served as reminders of the trauma.

Impact on Intimacy: Many participants struggled to form new intimate relationships after experiencing IPV, with some avoiding intimacy altogether while others establishing strict boundaries.

Question 5

What are the factors influencing IPV in GBM?

Answer 5

Difficulty Defining “Normal”: Many participants found it hard to determine what constituted healthy behaviour in same-sex relationships, lacking LGBTQ role models and open conversations about relationship dynamics.

Loneliness and Vulnerability: Participants often felt isolated and lonely, which made them more susceptible to tolerating abusive behaviour in order to maintain a relationship.

Substance Use as a “Red Flag”: Some participants identified their partners’ heavy drinking or drug use as a potential warning sign or contributing factor to IPV.

Question 6

What are Barriers and Facilitators to Disclosure and Accessing Support in GBM IPV?

Answer 6

**Lack of Recognition:
**■
The lack of societal awareness that men could be victims of IPV made it difficult for participants to identify and disclose their experiences.
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Many felt that existing IPV narratives focused primarily on heterosexual relationships, rendering their experiences invisible.

**Negative Experiences with Service Providers:
**■
Participants often encountered a lack of understanding or dismissive attitudes from service providers, particularly within the criminal justice system.
■
This led to feelings of embarrassment, shame, and a reluctance to seek further support.

**Positive Experiences in LGBTQ-Affirming Spaces:
**■
Sexual halth services were perceived as more LGBTQ-friendly, suggesting a potential avenue for integrating specialised IPV support.
■
Participants found therapy with LGBTQ-identified therapists particularly beneficial, as they felt understood and could receive guidance on healthy same-sex relationships.

Question 7

What are hte key discussions points of IPV among GBM

Answer 7

○
The Importance of Language: The study highlights how dominant social discourses framing IPV as a primarily male-on-female issue can make it difficult for GBM to recognise and report abuse.
○
Challenging Heteronormative Assumptions: There’s a need to acknowledge that IPV in same-sex relationships may manifest differently and require tailored support services.
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Addressing Masculinity and Victimhood: The study sheds light on the challenges GBM face in reconciling their experiences of IPV with societal expectations of masculinity.