What Services Exist for LGBTQ Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence in Batterer Intervention Programs Across North America? A Qualitative Study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine available services for LGBTQ clients in domestic violence batterer intervention programs across North America and to ascertain which theoretical models informed these services. Method: Data collected from the North American Survey of Domestic Violence Intervention Programs were analyzed using deductive and inductive coding. Using guidelines established by the American Association for Public Opinion Research, the response rate for mailings was 20% and for e-mails was 45%. Results: Respondents indicated a range of approaches to LGBTQ clients from doing nothing specific to serving LGBTQ clients with one-on-one sessions. Conclusions: Recommendations include more LGBTQ facilitators, developing curricula that addresses homophobia, issues related to family of origin, and foster methods of outreach to the LGBTQ community to make those affected aware of treatment possibilities. Moreover, evidence suggests a disconnect between practitioners and researchers when it comes to defining and treating the problem of intimate partner violence in LGBTQ relationships. Implications: Practitioners should not only undergo cultural training and provide LGBTQ-specific curricula, but also engage how and why such social inequality exists and persists. Further implications for policy and treatment are discussed.