Intimate partner violence among sexual diversity couples and explanatory theoretical frameworks: A developing agenda; Violencia entre parejas de la diversidad sexual y marcos teóricos explicativos: una agenda en desarrollo

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore existing sociological theories on intimate partner violence among sexual diversity couples in order to generate an explanatory framework and identify the challenges faced by theorization in these populations. We take as a point of reference the feminist approach and the family violence approach—traditionally applied to heterosexual partner violence—to critically analyze the new theoretical proposals that have emerged to explain violence in sexually diverse couples, particularly poststructuralist feminism and queer theories. A growing development of theoretical frameworks and empirical research specifically focused on explaining intimate partner violence among LGBTIQ+ couples is observed. This article reflects on key sociological-feminist elements that should be incorporated into theoretical proposals addressing violence in non-heterosexual couples, and discusses some of the unresolved challenges that remain.