Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV-Affected Intimate Partner Violence in 2012, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) (2013)

This National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) annual report examines the intersections between LGBTQ and HIV-affected intimate partner violence (IPV) and various forms of oppression that affect these communities. Of the 36.1 percent of victims who disclosed their HIV status, 19 percent reported being seropositive. However, since the report relied on self-reported data by survivors of intimate partner violence seeking services at one of the 19 NCAVP-affiliated programs across 20 states, this report may not accurately speak to the true incidence of IPV present in the HIV affected community.

In 2012, NCAVP received 2,679 reports of IPV, a 31.83 percent decrease since 2011. Yet this decrease is believed to be due to a weakened capacity of affiliated agencies and not a reduction in incidence of IPV. There was a 10.9 percent increase in homicides over the year, representing the highest number of homicides ever documented by NCAVP. LGBTQ youth, LGBTQ people of color, gay men, and transgender people were more likely to suffer injuries, require medical attention, experience harassment, or face anti-LGBTQ bias as a result of IPV. HIV-related IPV accounted for 2.1 percent of all reported cases in both 2011 and 2012. Underreporting is believed to be due to a combination of stigma and state confidentiality laws, which prohibit collecting such information.

NCAVP sets forth recommendations to address the needs of survivors and community-based providers, including increased funding for targeted public awareness and prevention efforts, data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity in IPV and sexual violence surveillance, increased training and technical assistance for service providers, and the Department of Justice’s implementation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 2013 to ensure access to services for LGBTQ survivors of IPV and sexual violence. NCAVP also advocates for increased efforts to end LGBTQ- and HIV-related discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.