NCJ Number
250738
Journal
Police Chief Dated: January 2016
Date Published
January 2016
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article from Police Chief provides information to law enforcement officers regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) community, including the prevalence of IPV in this community, barriers to its reporting, and recommendations to law enforcement agencies for responding to such cases.
Abstract
Regarding the prevalence of IPV in the LGBTQ community, a 2011 study by the Centers for Disease Control examined the prevalence of IPV by sexual orientation. It determined that LGBTQ intimate partner violence is just as prevalent, or even more prevalent, than it is in the heterosexual community. In any intimate partner relationship, there are barriers that prevent victims from reporting violence to law enforcement and becoming involved in the criminal justice system; however, LGBTQ victims of IPV face additional barriers, such as the fear of being "outed" and the stigma and ridicule that may accompany it. Thirteen recommendations are outlined for how law enforcement officers can facilitate members of the LGBTQ community to report IPV. Recommendations include adopting nondiscriminatory and zero tolerance harassment policies regarding LGBTQ members and the creation of liaisons with the LGBTQ community that involve listening to their concerns and working with them to address the concerns.