Stepping Out of the Shadows: Healing from Intimate Partner Violence in Sex/Gender Diverse Females

The complexity and challenges of healing after intimate partner violence (IPV) for sex/gender-diverse females (SGDFs) are not well understood. Research on situated violence has continued to use a traditional understanding of IPV from a male-to-female perspective. Situated violence among SGDFs has been neglected by researchers or minimized when developing interventions for healing that are effective or efficient. This study aimed to explore the healing journeys of SGDFs who have had experience with IPV from female partners. Van Manen’s (1990; 2017) phenomenological approach was used to collect and analyze the data. A purposive snowball sampling technique was employed to recruit participants, and eight provided informed consent. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data in combination with photo elicitation (Wang, 1999) and storyboarding (Cross & Warwick-Booth, 2016). Swanson’s Theory of Caring framework (1991) created safe spaces for crucial dialogues with the researcher. Four themes emerged from the research process: Surviving vs. thriving; Regaining independence: Getting back on the boogie board; Healing is stepping out of the shadows; and So what? as a concept of self-care. Themes provide an enriching and nuanced insight into the participants’ experiences over time as they moved toward healing. Study findings suggest that co-creating a safe space facilitates the emergence of healing. Future research should explore collaboration between SGDFs and health professionals to create healing spaces that promote authenticity and dignity.