Intimate Partner Violence Against Transgender and Gender Expansive Individuals A Review of Existing Literature

Abstract

In the past 20 years, more research has been directed toward intimate partner violence (IPV) within lesbian, gay, and bisexual relationships. However, few studies have examined the prevalence of IPV among transgender and gender expansive (TGE) individuals. This is concerning, given that transgender individuals may be at particularly high risk for IPV. A large, national study in the United States surveyed transgender individuals, and 54% of respondents reported experiencing at least one form of IPV. Given the unique oppressions that places TGE populations at risk for violence, as well as the dearth of research that includes these populations, a thorough synthesis and review of the literature is warranted. In the current study, a literature review was conducted that examined published articles between 2010 and 2020. This review sought to better understand the prevalence, impact, and correlates of IPV victimization among TGE individuals. Articles were searched for on Google Scholar and PsycInfo between September and November of 2022 using the following search terms: ("intimate partner violence" or "domestic abuse" or "domestic violence") AND ((LGBT or LGBTQ) OR (transgender or “gender expansive” or “gender nonbinary” or “gender nonconforming)). A synthesis of the articles and recommendations for future research is provided.