Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) among LGBTQ persons was largely absent from discussion at the beginning of the battered women’s movement that began in the 1970s. Although slow to gain recognition, recent decades have seen a marked increase in the research and literature that explores LGBTQ IPV. This book aims to “…bring together in one place the vast majority of published research and information about LGBTQ IPV, along the way, helping to identify key lessons and implications for future policy, practice, and research” (p. 3). To this end, Messinger presents a comprehensive review of the literature including domestic (U.S.) studies and studies of LGBTQ IPV in countries around the globe. Likewise, each chapter provides explicit implications for policy, practice, and research.
Messinger begins by identifying five myths of LGBTQ IPV that have contributed to it being largely ignored, leading to a dearth of relevant policy, services, and research: It is rare; it is less severe; the abusers are masculine; LGBTQ IPV is the same as all other IPV; and it should not be discussed. The remainder of the text uses existing literature to disprove these myths and identify consequences of their pervasiveness. Messinger identifies existing approaches to LGBTQ IPV research and the challenges inherent in conducting such research (Chapter 2). Although many of the critiques of the existing literature are valid, the chapter is excessively lengthy in dealing with the “problems” of the research, much of which is consistent with challenges of conducting research on IPV among heterosexual couples. There are some unique challenges to conducting LGBTQ IPV research presented, but these could be reported more succinctly.
The greatest substance of the book lies in Chapters 3 and 4. Chapter 3 presents a synthesis of the literature that identifies the types and frequency of LGBTQ IPV. Here, the author uses tables to succinctly present the data, while also explaining this literature well, creating a comprehensive picture of the issue. Better efforts to highlight what type of research is most needed, not just what types there could be, would have made this chapter more useful and effective. Chapter 4, perhaps the most valuable chapter of the book, does an excellent job of identifying both “universal” and LGBTQ-specific contributing factors to IPV and survivors’ decisions to leave or stay in abusive relationships. Messinger also does a great job here discussing IPV outcomes versus risk factors.
In later chapters, Messinger examines ways to improve both nongovernmental (family and friends, health care, and IPV organizations) and governmental responses (policy, law enforcement, and courts) to LGBTQ IPV, providing a picture of the potential for these services to be helpful and the strengths and limitations of existing services and responses. One of the biggest concerns of this book that I have, however, is it fails to adequately incorporate the experiences of LGBTQ people of color and some of the unique challenges that they face in the context of their IPV victimization and help seeking. For example, in Chapter 6, law enforcement is touted as an ideal resource for LGBTQ IPV victims, “a force of positive change in the lives of LGBTQ IPV victims” (p. 177). However, even many IPV advocates themselves do not tout this as an optimal resource, given the challenges with law enforcement, including the prevalence of racism within the legal system. Nowhere in the sub-sections on “Law Enforcement” or “Courts” in this chapter are issues of race or class addressed. In fact, this chapter fails to deal with issues of race or class at all. Unfortunately, this is a poignant example of how the issue of race was dealt with tangentially in this book instead of consciously integrated throughout. Issues of race (and class, when mentioned) when addressed are usually at the very end of a section or chapter and explored/discussed superficially.
For its conclusion, Messinger provides an excellent summary of the material presented in the book, driving home key points. Despite its limitations, this book has the potential to be useful to academics, service providers, policy makers, law enforcement, and social service agencies, although audiences outside of academia may find it a bit dense. These individuals might benefit from the sub-sections throughout that explicitly state “Implications for Policy, Practice, and Research.”