AMA policy supporting survivors of LGBTQ intimate partner violence

CHICAGO — While intimate partner violence (IPV) can occur between heterosexual or same-sex couples, efforts to address this public health problem have remained mostly focused on heterosexual women despite other populations experiencing IPV at similar or higher rates. The American Medical Association (AMA) adopted policy at its Interim Meeting today aimed at addressing IPV in the LGBTQ population. The new policy calls for physician and community awareness of IPV among LGBTQ patients, and federal funding to support programs and services for survivors that do not discriminate against underserved communities, including sexual and gender minorities.

Due to the limited data available, the policy encourages more research on IPV in the LGBTQ community to include studies on the prevalence, accuracy of screening tools, effectiveness of early detection and interventions, as well as the benefits and harms of screening. The policy also encourages dissemination of such research to educate physicians and the community on these issues.