Sexual Orientation-Based Violence in Colombia: A Mixed Methods Study on the Experiences and Perspectives of Bystanders and the Targets of Violence

Despite the urgency of addressing violence against the LGBTQI+ community in Colombia, scientific research on the topic remains limited. This mixed-methods study explores the lived experiences of sexual orientation-based violence and the role of bystanders witnessing such abuse. A total of 1,291 participants (50.8% cisgender women, 37.1% cisgender men, 3.1% trans or non-binary) responded to an online Spanish-language survey, which included open and closed questions focused on both real-life and hypothetical sexual orientation-based violence. Utilising thematic analysis, we constructed three themes based on responses to the open questions: (a) Lived Experiences as Targets and Bystanders in Sexual Orientation-Based Violence; (b) Diverse Proposed and Actual Intervention Strategies; and (c) Bystander Barriers and Facilitators. Further analysis (i.e. logistic regression) of the quantitative data showed that recognizing a situation as harassment and feeling responsibility to act were significantly associated with past bystander intervention. Findings highlight the diverse nature of sexual orientation-based violence in Colombia and those factors impacting the likelihood of bystander intervention.