Impact of Community, Family and Partner Violence on Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Background: Young men who have sex (YMSM) are at high risk to be involved in violence in many different environments including within their families, communities and intimate relationships.  Research indicates that YMSM experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at rates similar to heterosexual females.  In spite of this, no evidence –based interventions exist to address this public health issue.  Methods: Mixed methods research was undertaken to examine experiences of IPV and other forms of violence among YMSM.  Eleven focus groups were conducted with a total of 101 YMSM; brief surveys were completed after each focus group.  Results: YMSM reported frequent experiences of community violence- with 61% reporting being verbally threatened and 41% being physically threatened or attacked due to their sexuality.  Child maltreatment rates are also high, with a third feeling they were physically abused, 48% believing they were emotionally abused and 32% believing they were sexually abused. In the past year, more than two-third reported forms of physical IPV and over half experienced sexual coercion from their partner. Multivariate models found that experiences of violence are related to HIV risk behaviors such as having sex while high or drunk and unprotected sex.  Access Those involved IPV were less likely to have a recent HIV test.  Discussion:  Violence among YMSM can have important implications for HIV prevention.  Addressing community, familial and partner violence among young men may be one avenue for curbing the HIV epidemic among this high-risk population.