Violence in relationships

Every relationship has the potential for domestic or intimate partner violence, but in LGBT and/or polyamorous relationships, sometimes there are different factors that affect how intimate partner violence should be dealt with. This week our guest is Christy Croft, who has over a decade of experience as a crisis hotline advocate, support group leader, and hospital and legal accompaniment for survivors.

Christy has been gracious enough to go into detail with their vast knowledge of relationship dynamics and intimate partner violence, and addresses the following during this episode:

• Intimate partner violence basics, such as power and control patterns.

• Parallels and comparisons to LGBTQ intimate partner violence frameworks.

• “Polyamorous traps” or intimate partner violence issues that are unique to non-traditional relationships that can potentially lay groundwork for abuse.

• The common cultural belief that polyamory is “inherently abusive” versus the equally common belief that polyamory is “more progressive” or “enlightened” and how those two beliefs can affect relationships in toxic ways.

• Some common questions about intimate partner violence, such as how to distinguish abuse versus just a dysfunctional relationship and how to tell if an abuser is actually changing behavior or not.

• Advice and support for other partners and/or friends, as well as resources and suggestions.

Be sure to listen to the full episode and find more of Christy Croft on their website, www.christycroft.com, email them at christy.croft@icloud.com, or find them on Twitter and Instagram as @christycroft or Facebook at @completeconsentculture.