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 aim of this secondary analysis was to explore the intersection of gender, sexuality, and rurality on 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. Using a case-study design utilizing Heaton’s (2004) guidelines, 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 interviews indicated that sexuality and rurality hinder a woman’s ability to engage in help seeking behaviours. These findings may be useful to inform future practice and policy of resources and services available to facilitate LGBTQ women in rural communities when seeking care.