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

Reyes, MF, Mora, MC, Castro-Caicedo, JS, Blandón, J, Chanis-Barahona, I, Maldonado Salamanca, D, Gandolfo, MI, Brewer, G and Lyons, M ORCID: 0000-0002-9553-9767 (2025) Sexual Orientation-Based Violence in Colombia: A Mixed Methods Study on the Experiences and Perspectives of Bystanders and the Targets of Violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. ISSN 0886-2605

Preview

Text Sexual Orientation-Based Violence in Colombia -A Mixed Methods Study on the Experiences and Perspectives of Bystanders and the Targets of Violence.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (411kB) | Preview

Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	bystanders; Colombia; intervention; LGBTQI plus; sexual orientation; violence; Colombia; LGBTQI+; bystanders; intervention; sexual orientation; violence; 4402 Criminology; 44 Human Society; Violence Research; Violence Against Women; Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM/LGBT*); Women's Health; Mental Health; Behavioral and Social Science; 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; 1602 Criminology; 1607 Social Work; 1701 Psychology; Criminology; 4402 Criminology; 4409 Social work; 5203 Clinical and health psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Date of acceptance:	15 November 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	13 June 2026
Date Deposited:	12 Jun 2026 13:23
Last Modified:	13 Jun 2026 00:50
DOI or ID number:	10.1177/08862605251384910
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28819

View Item