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Abstract
To receive help for intimate partner violence, one must be first seen as a victim. Previous research indicates that LGBTQ+ victims of intimate partner violence are not always seen as the traditional or “ideal” victims. Because LGBTQ+ victims are not seen as the “ideal” victims of intimate partner violence, they may have a more challenging time receiving help, specifically through the legal system. One under-researched avenue of seeking help is petitioning the civil court for a family violence protective order. This study seeks to understand whether LGBTQ+ victims of IPV face a disadvantage when seeking help through the civil court and the ways victims are able to overcome these disadvantages. The results of this study indicate that female same-sex victims of intimate partner violence are less likely to be granted a family violence protective order despite demonstrating various indicators of being a victim and a survivor of IPV.