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1 in 3 gay men report being abused in a relationship
- By News Hound
- Published 11/5/2007
- General News
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View all articles by News Hound1 in 3 gay men report being abused in a relationship
RESEARCH | Figure is similar to studies of women
BY DAVE NEWBART
The problem of domestic violence involving women is well-known and extensively studied, but the problem is just as bad with another less studied group: gay men.
So says a study conducted by two researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
In fact, they found that 1 out of every 3 men in a same-sex relationship has been abused. That is similar to what studies of battered women have found.
"If you project that out to the entire gay community in the country, that's a lot of guys," said David McKirnan, an associate professor of psychology and co-author of the study.
The study is published in the most recent edition of the Journal of Urban Health. McKirnan and graduate student Eric Houston studied surveys filled out by 817 men through the Howard Brown Health Center, which primarily serves the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community from its North Side location.
More than 32 percent of the men reported experiencing verbal, physical or sexual abuse in an intimate relationship. Just under 20 percent said they were physically or sexually abused.
As with women, poorly educated and low-income men were more likely to be victims. However, minorities did not show higher rates of abuse.
Like women, men who were depressed, mentally ill or abusing drugs were far more likely to be victims. And victims were more likely to engage in unprotected sex.
The abuse becomes a public health issue, the researchers said, because it takes a toll on the men's overall health, causing stomach and heart-related complications, among other issues.
Men have few places they can turn for help. They also have to battle societal perceptions: They might already feel stigma for being gay and could feel additional stigma for being abused, said Laura Velazquez, manager of the Anti-Violence Project at the Center on Halsted.
Why are the men abused? The study didn't address that. But Velazquez said that as with women victims, it often comes down to control.
"It's used as a power tactic in controlling someone," she said. "It's master manipulation."
Bounce back
BY DAVE NEWBART
The problem of domestic violence involving women is well-known and extensively studied, but the problem is just as bad with another less studied group: gay men.
So says a study conducted by two researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
In fact, they found that 1 out of every 3 men in a same-sex relationship has been abused. That is similar to what studies of battered women have found.
"If you project that out to the entire gay community in the country, that's a lot of guys," said David McKirnan, an associate professor of psychology and co-author of the study.
The study is published in the most recent edition of the Journal of Urban Health. McKirnan and graduate student Eric Houston studied surveys filled out by 817 men through the Howard Brown Health Center, which primarily serves the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community from its North Side location.
More than 32 percent of the men reported experiencing verbal, physical or sexual abuse in an intimate relationship. Just under 20 percent said they were physically or sexually abused.
As with women, poorly educated and low-income men were more likely to be victims. However, minorities did not show higher rates of abuse.
Like women, men who were depressed, mentally ill or abusing drugs were far more likely to be victims. And victims were more likely to engage in unprotected sex.
The abuse becomes a public health issue, the researchers said, because it takes a toll on the men's overall health, causing stomach and heart-related complications, among other issues.
Men have few places they can turn for help. They also have to battle societal perceptions: They might already feel stigma for being gay and could feel additional stigma for being abused, said Laura Velazquez, manager of the Anti-Violence Project at the Center on Halsted.
Why are the men abused? The study didn't address that. But Velazquez said that as with women victims, it often comes down to control.
"It's used as a power tactic in controlling someone," she said. "It's master manipulation."
Bounce back
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Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Jerome Whitehead)
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I walked in an abused man's shoes before and I thank you for writing this article. I was in my twenties and head over heels for this man. I had no idea how cruel he could be...and it started almost immediately. He lied and cheated from the door. Why I stayed for five years I'll never know. Also, they don't tell you that wne you don't talk about it...you carry those scars with you for the rest of your life. Good article!!
