Research investigating transgender people's experiences of intimate partner violence/abuse (aka domestic violence)

Have your voice heard

The research being conducted is an investigation of intimate partner violence/abuse (IPV/A: aka Domestic Violence (DV) outside the boundaries of traditionally recognised violence against cisgender women. The purpose of the research is to investigate transgender people’s experiences of IPV/A  including their experiences of help seeking where applicable. Questions are also asked about the dynamics of the relationship to determine whether, and to what extent power imbalances exist within abusive relationships. 

Research aims & objectives:

Aims 
1. To identify the prevalence and aetiology of intimate partner violence/abuse in transgender relationships with consideration for intersectionality.
2. To identify trans specific elements of abuse 
3. To determine the impact of IPV/A against trans-people.
4. To identify the barriers to support for trans individuals.

Objectives
1. To identify the specific needs of under acknowledged victims of IPV/A 
2. To inform recommendations for the development of population specific provisions across services
3. To inform understanding of IPV/A within academia and across service providers
4. To inform theories of domestic violence in support of developing programmes and services to better assist in the prevention and treatment of trans victims and offenders of IPV/A.

This research as received full ethical approval from the University of Huddersfield School Research and Ethics Panel (SREP: review No. JW/KO/310712) and the questionnaire has undergone expert validation which was conducted by Professors, and PhD researchers at the University of Huddersfield.

The on-line questionnaire employs a mixed methodology asking open and closed questions seeking to identify IPV/A experiences in transgender individuals’ relationships. Participation in the research is voluntary and completely anonymous with no identifying details requested; full confidentiality is assured throughout. 

A second on-line questionnaire is running alongside the first to determine the prevalence of IPV/A within the trans* community, you do not have to have experienced IPV/A to complete this survey, which should take no more than 10 minutes, have your say!

As well as the online survey's transgender individuals are invited to participate in online, telephone or face to face interviews. The interview schedule will be developed from the findings of the initial stage's of the research. The interviews will be employed to build on the information retrieved through the surveys and explore any pertinent factors that might arise during the initial stage. You do not have to have experienced IPV/A to take part in interviews. Email: hudresearch@gmail.co.uk if you would like to contribute to this research.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the prevalence, incidence, and aetiology of IPV/A against transgender individuals, which comprises a complex of research questions.

1. What role [if any] do relationship dynamics have on IPV/A?

2. What similarities/differences exist in types and severity of abuse across gender and sexuality?

3. Do transgender individuals experience similar adverse health effects as recognised in cisgender women?

4. Who do transgender individuals confide in and/or contact about their abuse?

5. What are transgender individuals experiences of helping services such as domestic violence services, police, and medical professionals?

In-depth inquiry into trans experiences of intimate partner violence/abuse is required to inform social and political understanding and gain valid recognition across academia and DV service providers to ensure that the health and welfare of trans is given the utmost consideration. Historical schools of thought emanating from gender bias reasoning provide little if any insight into how society can respond to non-prototypical victims of IPV/A though they do provide a framework from which to build a new knowledge base. 

Acknowledging, understanding and accepting that IPV/A exists outside the boundaries of violence against cisgender women is essential to developing theory for practical and research ends. Employing a mixed methods approach not only adds to knowledge but also makes a case for effectively changing life situations, giving this research a political impetus for social justice. It is expected that this research will be a forefront for future research and contribute greatly to contemporary understanding of IPV/A, informing public opinion, practice, and future research.