Understanding the Experiences of Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Survivors of Domestic Violence

Understanding the Experiences of Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Survivors of Domestic Violence

Introduction

The article Understanding the Experiences of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans Survivors of Domestic Violence is basically a study carried out by the authors to assess the extent of domestic violence meted out at lesbians, bisexuals, and trans survivors (LBT). Consequently, the article has as its primary objective to investigate the societal position on domestic violence that is meted out on LBT and also an understanding or rather assess cultural appropriateness of domestic violence services to LBT survivors. In order to make the study successful, the researchers used qualitative methods and also carried out focus groups and semi-structured interviews with the affected communities. This piece of work will provide the summary, critique as well as an overview of the article.

Summery

Generally, the article provides essential contextual information on the experiences that LBT goes through and responds to domestic violence in the affected people.  Authors allege that based on political experience, these communities form a cultural group that has a history, family fabric, community institutions, and also cultural values that are different from other populations.

Some of the elements associated with LBT culture that has made the LBT community to be discriminated according to the author include, illegal or extra-legal nature of these communities’ experiences and relationships, a history of security agents and state violence on LBT people, availability of small and interconnected communities, cultural values of certain families, and a political and social context regarding homophobia, heterosexism, biphobia, and finally transphobia. Further, the article has illustrated that despite the dynamics of domestic violence in queer relationships are the same as those in heterosexual unions, the traditional contexts of LBT individuals significantly mold the experience of abuse.

Consequently, consistent with the earlier analysis of domestic violence, the authors point out that separation from community and also family was an essential part of LBT individuals’ experiences. This is because once LBT people are separated from their families who they depend on, leaves them with no option but endure the abuse they are regularly subjected to by their partners. It is important to note that once LBT people are identified, it is not family only that isolates them but also other support groups such as a church, workgroups, schools, etc. On the part of solutions that LBT groups go through, the authors have proposed a myriad of solutions such as providing support groups that will assist that such people deserve; further, the article has demanded that such communities be allowed to enjoy their rights by being human regardless of their sexual orientations.

Limitations

In examining the article, it is essential also to look at the limitations of the article in order to give a general overview of it conclusively. It is clear that the findings that were presented were based on fewer responses than would be appropriate to reach optimum. This was realized, especially when recruiting LBT individuals that were to participate in carrying out the research. This meant that the results were, to some extent, biased since an individual from LBT was not free enough to give more credible information. Further, the article points out clearly that some cultural beliefs may have hindered access to some vital information, particularly the ones touching on the privacy of cultural believes of these communities. Therefore, more advanced research needs to be conducted in the future to guarantee more credible research.

Overview

Understanding the Experiences of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans Survivors of Domestic Violence article has really brought out the experiences LBT communities experience due to their sexual orientation. Basically, the article was founded purposefully to bring out the sad story that over the years, these communities have been subjected to. The authors have really woken up the society in which the article is targeting the policymakers mainly. Therefore, the article has driven in the message that the LBT community deserves to be treated with dignity despite the cultural demands of the society that condemn actions that goes against the order of nature. Finally, services for LBT communities should be culturally appropriate, and also accessible, and society based solutions for addressing and preventing domestic violence need to be encouraged.