Almost one-third of gay and bisexual men reported being victims of verbal, physical or sexual abuse from an intimate partner, according to a study performed by two UIC researchers.
Over 800 diverse Chicago-area men participated in a survey that found 32.4 percent had experienced abuse in either a current or past same-sex relationship. These rates are comparable to the results of more prevalent studies of women in heterosexual relationships.
Few studies have examined abuse in same-sex relationships and "relationship abuse among gay and bisexual men has been largely overlooked," explained Eric Houston, a graduate psychology student and the study's lead author.
Houston and study co-author, David McKirnan, associate professor of psychology, worked with the Howard Brown Health Center to explore the relation between abuse and health problems. They found that men in abusive relationships more prevalently reported health problems such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity or smoking-related illnesses. These men more frequently showed symptoms of depression, use of drugs and alcohol and participating in unprotected sex.
Men in abusive relationships were also more likely to combine drugs with sex, and according to this study "the use of substances in conjunction with sex has been linked to transmission of HIV and various sexually transmitted diseases."
"This research is important because it suggests that for men in same-sex relationships, partner abuse may be a key factor in a variety of health problems, including sexually transmitted infections and HIV," explained Houston.
The findings of the study indicate that more must be done for men who experience abuse in same-sex relationships, and according to Houston, this "make[s] it clear that health providers may play a pivotal role in addressing this issue and bringing it to the forefront." He suggests that medical professionals screen their patients to determine if abuse is a factor in their health complaints. Unfortunately, that can be difficult because gay and bisexual men are more reluctant than women to seek help for partner abuse.
As the study explained, agencies traditionally focus on abused women, and may not be experienced in assisting gay and bisexual victims of abuse. Even therapists who regularly assist gay and bisexual men may not be experienced in dealing with abuse. This makes it harder for these men to receive the appropriate help. Future research is needed in order to assess interventions for gay and bisexual men.
This study, "Intimate Partner Abuse Among Gay and Bisexual Men: Risk Correlates and Health Outcomes," appeared in the September/October 2007 issue of the "Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine." The study was supported by a grant from the Chicago Department of Health and the research department of the Howard Brown Health Center.
Here ar UIC resources are available for those who are vicitims of abuse. The Campus Advocacy Network (CAN) provides crisis support for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, among many other things. CAN "believes that all men and women deserve safety from harm" and is "committed to working together with survivors of violence." The CAN team has many helpful connections, including but not limited to the "Dean of Students, UIC Police, [and the] Counseling Center." Through these resources action can be taken to help victims of abuse, from giving the victims information to assisting in obtaining Orders of Protection. CAN is located on campus in room 802 of University Hall.
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