Prevalence and predictors of intimate partner violence among Canadian LGBT and heterosexual older adults

Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to all forms of victimization committed in the context of an intimate partner relationship, including psychological, physical or sexual abuse. Exposure to IPV in later life has serious health consequences, contributing to poor physical and mental health outcomes, lower level of social functioning and poor quality of life. Both the recognition and prevention of IPV among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, queer, questioning (LGBT+) older adults have been largely overlooked, despite the fact that the rates of IPV among same-sex couples are reported to be similar or higher in comparison to opposite-sex IPV rates. This study aims to address knowledge gaps about past year experiences of IPV among older Canadians with particular attention to identifying differences in prevalence, risk factors, and impacts among LGBT+ as compared to heterosexual persons and white compared to Black, Indigenous and older adults of colour.