Understanding Intimate Partner Homicide Patterns Across Sexual Relationship Preferences

• In Event: Roundtable: Domestic, Gendered, and Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between intimate partner homicide (IPH) and sexual relationship preference, specifically at the county-level in Ohio. Previous research shows that the LGBTQIA+ community experiences IPH with similar frequency to populations of heterosexual women, yet research is lacking in this area (Ard & Madadon, 2011). Specifically, very little is known about the victimization of intimate partners in non-heterosexual relationships though limited research has indicated the importance of understanding nuances in relationship dynamics by sexual preference to better cater community responses to IPH within the LGBTQIA+ population (Langenderfer-Magruder et al., 2016). It is hypothesized that there is a strong correlation between the risk of experiencing IPH and sexual orientation, based on previous findings (Coston, 2021). This project uses secondary data which comes from sources including the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) for estimates on IPH and associated demographic variables of interest. In addition, information from the American Community Survey (ACS) three-year estimates is included to incorporate additional demographic and economic variables of interest within the analysis. This study is conducted using data between the years 2020 and 2022, to provide the most relevant information possible for this topic.

Authors

• Kyrstin Hunley, University of Tampa

• Kayla Toohy, University of Tampa