Abuse in same sex relationships

While there is an extensive international literature on domestic violence in heterosexual relationships (Hester, 2004; Hester et al., 2007), research on domestic violence in same sex relationships has a more recent history and has tended to focus on lesbian relationships (McClennen, 2005). Studies from the US increasingly suggest that prevalence of domestic violence may be similar across same sex and heterosexual relationships, but what differs are help-seeking behaviours (McClennen, 2005).

Samples in research on same sex domestic violence have often been relatively small and purposive, reflecting the experiences of white, middle class, lesbians and gay men who are between the ages of 25-35 years and who are ‘out’ enough to engage with venues that carry and support the surveys being done. As a consequence, rates of incidence and prevalence have varied enormously across the studies. For example, in her review of the American literature, Turrell (2000) found prevalence rates for physical violence in lesbian relationships in the range of 8-69%; for sexual violence a range of 5-50%; and for emotional violence a range of 65-90%. By contrast the prevalence of physical violence in gay male relationships was in the range of 11-47% (Turrell, 2000). Waldner-Haugrud and colleagues (1997) found rates of physical violence of 47.5% in lesbian relationships and 29.7% in gay male relationships.

• Domestic violence and abuse is just as common in same sex relationships as it is in mixed sex relationships.
• At least 1 in 4 LGBT people have experienced domestic violence in their relationships and from members of their families.
• Lesbians fleeing an abusive partner often encounter homophobia in women’s refuges, whilst gay men fleeing violence often do not have access to refuge accomodation (for example in the UK only 18 beds are available for the whole of England)
• According to the SIGMA research (2000) same-sex domestic violence not only exists but has been experienced by 22% of Lesbian and Bisexual women and 29% of Gay and Bisexual men (Link)

Useful sites

Broken Rainbow – http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/
Stonewall – http://www.stonewall.org.uk/
Borderland Blues – http://borderlandblues.com/