Abstract

Bisexual individuals–people who identify themselves as bisexual–have the highest reported rate of Intimate Partner Abuse (IPA) victimisation, yet little sociological research has been done to study this phenomenon. This PhD research was designed to address this research gap through a survey of bisexual individuals who had experienced IPA.

Given that bisexuals are stigmatised by the heterosexual and Lesbian, Gay, Trans + (LGT+) communities, a specialised mixed-methods survey was designed. As bisexuals are reluctant to disclose their bisexuality, snowball sampling was used to recruit participants through trusted networks. The survey gathered data from a broad, geographically dispersed, and demographic range of participants in the U.S. using a questionnaire and in-person interviews. This allowed the participants to discuss their experiences with IPA and share their demographic information. Thematic analysis was applied to the transcribed interviews to highlight emerging and recurring themes.

Key findings indicated that much IPA is related directly to the victim’s bisexuality, driven by jealousy (fear of infidelity) and manifested through a need to have power over and control of the victim. Evidence emerged among the participants of experiencing extensive and intensive abuse, particularly sexual abuse, as children and adults. Other findings found that many participants believed that an absence of physical violence equated with a denial of abuse, a lack of understanding of what comprises IPA and that IPA is a distinctly heterosexual issue. Another result was that the main physically violent perpetrators were male but not exclusively so; females were reported as more psychologically abusive. In seeking help, participants found it more helpful and expedient to do so under different gender identities.

This research highlights the urgent need for the recognition of bisexual IPA both within and outside the bisexual community. It advocates for the development of support services that cater to their unique needs, particularly around education on what comprises IPA and how it relates to bisexual individuals. To that end, this researcher developed a new educational model, Towards Prevention, designed to simplify understanding of the abuse process and make it accessible to people across a broad range of educational levels and language skills (see Appendix O).