Intimate Partner Violence in Culturally Diverse Groups and Special Populations

Course Summary

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread phenomenon that affects individuals across gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, ability, gender identity, and geographic location.  Research reveals that there are populations that experience IPV at disproportionately higher rates than other groups and such factors as culture, gender identity, age, disability, geography, and socioeconomic status affect the incidence of IPV and responses to treatment.  Special populations, like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals and persons with disabilities, also experience higher rates of IPV.  Intimate partner violence occurs in adolescent and young adult relationships as well as those with older adults.  Despite women overwhelmingly being survivors of IPV, men can be survivors of IPV and need special considerations with respect to service provision.  Further, survivors who live in rural areas have needs and challenges along with those who have low income.  Members of these diverse populations likely have unique needs related to IPV.  This learning material explores the sociocultural aspects of IPV in selected populations and is a resource for practitioners who work with survivors from diverse populations.  The purpose of the course is to provide social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors with necessary information to improve services for clients and patients with IPV-related issues that occur in the context of diverse cultures, ethnicities, and affiliation with minority populations.  This is not a treatment specific course – treatment techniques are explored in earlier sections of this learning series.