Over 50% of gay and bisexual men in Cork experience intimate partner violence, report suggests
On Thursday, September 5, the reachOut project, initiated by OSS Cork and Gay Project and funded by Tusla, launched its report titled Addressing Intimate Partner Abuse Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Cork.
The study sheds light on the alarming prevalence of violence and control experienced by gay and bisexual men in intimate relationships, with the aim of informing the development of vital services for men experiencing this kind of abuse.A combination of focus groups, community surveys, and interviews informed the report, gathering perspectives from both the gay community and frontline service providers across various sectors, including social work, healthcare, sexual assault, and law enforcement.The research revealed concerning statistics: over half of those surveyed reported having experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from a partner or ex-partner at some point in their lives.
Additionally, one in three had been subjected to abusive behaviours related to HIV, transphobia, or health status, while a third reported financial abuse.International studies indicate that gay and bisexual men face similar, if not higher, risks of intimate partner abuse compared to heterosexual women.
Despite this, the report highlights a striking lack of awareness within the Irish queer community and a significant reluctance among victims to seek help from mainstream services.
