Experiences of Intimate-Partner Violence and Violence from a Family Member During COVID-19 Among LGBTQ Adults in Australia

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Abstract Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges and concerns regarding the potential exacerbation of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse and queer people from intimate partners and family members. The impacts of the pandemic may have been disproportionately felt by LGBTQ communities who already experienced high rates of intimate-partner violence and violence from family members entering the pandemic. Method Data from 3,135 LGBTQ adults who completed an online survey of their experiences in Australia during the pandemic were analysed. Logistic regressions analyses were used to explore sociodemographic characteristics associated with rates of violence from an intimate partner or family member during the pandemic as well as the impact of government-ordered lockdowns on experience of these types of violence by comparing the states that experienced more extensive lockdowns (Victoria and New South Wales) to the rest of Australia. Results The study revealed high rates of violence from an intimate partner (16.9%) or family member (29.1%) during the pandemic, with many indicating that this violence was new or worsening during the pandemic. Experiences of IPV and violence from a family member were found to vary across gender, sexual orientation, multicultural background and residential location. However, no evidence suggested that lockdowns specifically had impacted the prevalence of IPV or violence from a family member within the LGBTQ community with rates not differing across states. Conclusions The risks of violence from an intimate partner or family member among LGBTQ individuals were high during the pandemic in Australia, regardless of lockdown measures. The findings underscore the importance of efforts to understand the systemic factors influencing IPV and violence from a family member within the LGBTQ community and address the enduring impacts of the pandemic.