The reachOUT research project is a localised initiative which sets out to investigate the awareness, perceptions and experiences of intimate partner abuse in Cork’s LGBTQ+ community, including supports, help-seeking behaviours and barriers. With this information, the OSSCork, Gay Project, and LINQ Ireland will put in place local referral systems between the organisations, and are collaborating to produce resources to raise awareness among the local LGBTQ+ community, the public, and service providers in Cork.

Phase I of the reachOUT project examined IPA in relationships between gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary and men who have sex with men. A suite of training and awareness-raising resources has been produced for the Gay community and for professionals who might come into contact with GBT+ men experiencing abuse and control in their relationships.

Intimate partner abuse among lesbian, bisexual and queer women (including trans and non-binary) is widespread, and yet it is often hidden, misunderstood or mishandled by heteronormative systems. IPA in the LBQ+ community involves abuse similar to that across general population groups, as well as specific LBQ+ targeted abuse (e.g., outing, identity-based abuse, isolation, sabotaging transition), and disproportionately affects trans and bisexual women. LBQ+ IPA requires raising awareness in the community; trained, culturally competent, inclusive, well-funded services; as well as reliable data to improve recognition, responses, and prevention. It also depends on policy-makers keeping the issue in their sights so that LBQ+ women’s specific needs do not disappear into the general target population.