Publication Date

2012

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Same-sex partner abuse, Gay men-Services for-Evaluation, Victims of family violence-Services for, Social work with gays, Cultural competence, Domestic violence, Intimate partner violence, Gay males, LGBT, Intersectionality, Service provision

Abstract

This theoretical study explores the problem of gaps in intimate partner violence services for gay male victims of abuse and the implications for social workers and other service providers. Unequal access to appropriate, affirming, and inclusive partner abuse services is a widespread problem for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals and communities, and, for the purposes of this study, partner abuse specifically among gay men is considered. This study utilizes two theoretical models, intersectionality and cultural competency, to provide a guiding framework for service providers to use when assessing current services and implementing improved policies and procedures. Intersectionality considers the "social contexts created by the intersections of systems of power (e.g. race, class, gender, and sexual orientation) and oppression (prejudice, class stratification, gender inequality, and heterosexist bias)" (Bograd, 1999, p. 276). Cultural competency focuses on the development of skills and self-awareness in order to provide higher quality services to groups and individuals (Abrams and Moio, 2009; Jani et al, 2011). These models, when combined, can potentially assist service providers who intend to serve populations that have historically been ignored or underserved. Two organizations in the Northeastern US are used as examples of community agencies that continue to successfully reach the LGBTQ population, provide appropriate partner abuse services, and offer technical assistance to other agencies that wish to make their services more inclusive.

Language

English

Comments

iii, 59 p. Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2012. Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-59)

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