Experiences of Intimate Partner Abuse Amongst LGBTQ Women of Color

This thesis explores the prevalence and experiences of intimate partner violence (IPA) amongst LBGTQ women of color. The focus is purposefully placed upon an intersectional, marginalized, and neglected group in traditional “domestic violence” or IPA research. Using the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey data (2010), the author conducted various quantitative analysis using SPSS analysis tools. Major findings include LGBTQ women of color report experiencing higher levels of all four types of IPA included in the original survey, LGBTQ women of color report experiencing higher percentages of IPA than heterosexual women of color, and in addition to be a LGBTQ woman of color, intersecting marginalized identities like lower levels of education, higher levels of financial stress, having a disability, make women more likely to experience certain forms of IPA. The author discusses the limitations of the data set and suggestions for improving and developing more competent and inclusive research on LGBTQ populations.