Women’s experience of obtaining health and social services following intimate partner violence: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer relationships in rural communities

Abstract

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to explore the intersection of gender, sexuality, and rurality in a person’s experience of seeking health and social services following intimate partner violence (IPV). Data from the primary study, SPEAK: Sharing Personal Experiences of Accessibility and Knowledge of Violence, were used for this secondary analysis. This study reviewed the experience of women who identified as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ) and lived in a rural community. With an intersectional lens, this study employed an interpretive description approach utilizing a case-study design, and the experiences of LGBTQ women who had experienced IPV seeking health and social services in rural communities were explored. Data collected from demographic questionnaires and one-to-one interviews indicated that gender and sexual identity present challenges when intersecting with rurality and IPV. Identifying as LGBTQ may hinder a woman’s ability to seek help from healthcare and social services. These findings may be useful to inform future practice and policies pertaining to resources and services available for rural LGBTQ women who have experienced IPV when seeking care.