Domestic violence in same-sex relationships

The purple ribbon promotes awareness of domestic violence

Domestic violence in same-sex relationships is a pattern of violence or abuse that occurs within same-sex relationships. Domestic violence is an issue that affects people of any sexuality, but there are issues that affect victims of same-sex domestic violence specifically.[1] These issues include homophobia, HIV and AIDS stigma, STD risk and other health issues, lack of legal support, and the violence they face being considered less serious than heterosexual domestic violence.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Moreover, the issue of domestic violence in same-sex relationships has not been studied as comprehensively as domestic violence in heterosexual relationships.[12] However, there are legal changes being made to help victims of domestic violence in same-sex relationships, as well as organizations that cater specifically to victims of domestic violence in same-sex relationships.[13][14][15]

Relationship prevalence

All prevalence information except for the information about transgender relationships was taken from a study conducted in the US by the CDC in 2010.[16] This studied who had experienced abuse or sexual violence and divided people by their sexual orientation. The study did not report on the gender or sexual orientation of the abuser.

Gay male

26% of gay men report having experienced physical violence, stalking, or rape by their partners.[16] 29% of heterosexual men reported similar violence in the same study.

Lesbian

40% of lesbian women reported physical violence by their partners, and 44% reported experiencing physical violence, stalking, or rape by their partners.[16] In contrast, 35% of heterosexual women reported physical violence, stalking, or rape by their partners in the same study.

Bisexual

Although bisexual people may be in relationships with people of any gender, they are often victims of domestic violence. For women, 61% report having experienced physical violence, stalking, or rape by their partners.[16] For men in the same study, 37% reported having experienced similar violence.

For both men and women, the percentage of bisexual people who have experienced domestic violence is higher than either gay men or lesbians. The high rate of domestic violence faced by bisexual people may be in part because of the specific challenges bisexual people face in receiving help, as bisexuality is often misunderstood, even by those who administer domestic violence help professionally.[8]

Transgender

Transgender people may be in relationships with people of any gender, but they experience high rates of domestic violence. Comparatively little research has been conducted about domestic violence towards transgender individuals, especially within the context of romantic relationships. In a 2009 United States study, 56% to 66% of transgender individuals reported experiencing violence within their homes, though not necessarily by a romantic partner.[17]

Influences and factors

Legal issues

Members of same-sex relationships who face domestic violence often have issues accessing legal recourse, as domestic violence laws are often drafted in such a way as to only include different sex partnerships.[3] Some are worried about being involved in the legal system because they are afraid they will be mistreated or dismissed due to their sexual orientation.[13] Although often the abuser can still be arrested or tried for assault or similar crimes, not classifying the crime as domestic may change how it is dealt with in the court system and change how the victim is treated. Also, studies have shown that law enforcement officers do not treat domestic violence in same-sex relationships as seriously as domestic violence in heterosexual relationships.[9]

Victims of domestic violence in same sex relationships do have legal rights afforded to them in some U.S. states, whether or not they are married to their partner, although the requirements and protections vary by state.[13] Some of these rights include having a civil protection order or restraining order placed on the abuser to keep them from stalking or harassing the victim.

Some cities and states in the U.S. are working to improve the legal situation for LGBT victims of domestic violence, through policy change and police training.[13] In Washington D.C. the city has created an LGBT unit of their police department to combat homophobic violence and to deal with violence against transgender people by professionals who are also members of the LGBT community.[14][18]

HIV/AIDS

People carry a banner promoting the end of HIV stigma at a Pride Parade

HIV/AIDS may create additional problems for those in violent relationships, financially, emotionally, and health wise, whether it is the perpetrator or the victim who is living with HIV or AIDS.[19] This specifically affects those in same-sex relationships because men who have sex with men, no matter how they identity, are significantly more likely to have HIV or AIDS than others.[20]

Those living with HIV are often financially dependent on their partners, making it more difficult to leave abusive relationships.[4] If it is the victim who has HIV or AIDS the abuser may take control of their finances in order to have even more control over their life.[19] This issue is compounded by the fact that those living with HIV or AIDS may often become too sick to work and support themselves, and that even when they are able to work they often face discrimination in the workplace or in the hiring process, even though this is technically illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act.[21]

Abusers may use emotional tactics to exert control over their partners, whether it is them or the victim have HIV or AIDS.[19] Some abusive partners may threaten to reveal their partner's positive HIV status to others as a form of control, as there is a stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS that could affect a victim's life.[13] If it is the abuser who has HIV or AIDS, the victim may fear that leaving someone who is sick makes them seem shallow, uncaring, or discriminatory, or the abuser may insinuate that if their partner leaves the relationship the abuser will become sicker as a result.[19] Oppositionally, if it is the victim who has HIV or AIDS, the abuser may imply that the victim will be unable to find another partner due to their positive HIV status or that they will die alone.The abuser may also claim that it is the victim's fault that the abuser has HIV or AIDS, essentially emotionally blackmailing them to stay in the relationship.

There are many health related ways that HIV or AIDS can affect domestic violence in same-sex relationships.[19] Some perpetrators of domestic violence purposefully try to transmit STDs to their partner or to transmit their partner's STD to themself, as a tactic to control their partner. Additionally, many people in same-sex relationships who experienced domestic violence experienced violence specifically because they had asked their partners to use condoms or other prophylactics, which are known to limit the spread of HIV.[5][20] In conjunction with this, abusers may tamper with their partner's pre-exposure prophylaxis medications that prevent the spread of HIV, or may use the social stigma surrounding the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis to convince their partner not to use it.[19][22][23] The abuser may also tamper with their partner's or their own HIV medication, or keep their partner from receiving health care in other ways.[19] Furthermore, those with HIV or AIDS may be more affected by physical violence than those who are healthy, as their immune systems are weak and physical injuries will be harder to recover from. Those living with HIV or AIDS may also be more affected by emotional trauma for the same reason.

Homophobia

Homophobia plays a role in causing domestic violence in same-sex relationships as well as being a systemic issue as to why victims of same-sex domestic violence lack access to resources.[1][8]

One way this occurs is through the fear of being "outed," as abusers may use this fear of being outed to control their partners or an abuser may use the fact that they are not out to limit their partner's exposure to other LGBT people who would recognize that their relationship is unhealthy.[1][13][15]

Another way homophobia plays a role in domestic violence is that people in same-sex relationships may feel that they have a duty to represent the LGBT community in a positive manner, and that if their relationship is abusive it is proof that homosexuality is inherently wrong, immoral, or otherwise flawed.[1] Further, the abuser may frame the abuse as justified because of the victim's sexual orientation, or imply that no one will help the victim because of their sexual orientation.[13][15]

On a systematic level, many resources offered to victims of domestic violence are not offered to victims of domestic violence in same-sex relationships. This refusal to help victims of same-sex domestic violence victims occurs both by private domestic violence help centers and by law enforcement, who may not treat same-sex domestic violence as seriously as domestic violence in heterosexual relationships.[9]

Gendered expectations

Historically, domestic violence was viewed by many feminists as "a manifestation of patriarchal power."[2] This definition saw domestic violence as a phenomenon acted out by men onto women, therefore leaving out male victims of domestic violence and victims of domestic violence in same-sex relationships. Some abusers even capitalize on the idea that domestic violence cannot occur in same-sex relationships to convince their partner that the abuse is normal or non-abusive.[19]

One idea that persists and is harmful to lesbians, is that sexual assault is less serious or aggressive when perpetrated by women.[1] However, being sexually assaulted can be traumatic to victims regardless of the gender of the perpetrator. Similarly, women stalking other women or men are seem as less threatening than the same actions being perpetrated by men, so lesbian victims of stalking may be ignored by law enforcement and other individuals.[2] Part of this problem that specifically impacts lesbians is that lesbians are assumed to have perfect relationships specifically because there is no man involved in the situation. This ideal of a "lesbian utopia" makes it more difficult for lesbians to report domestic violence, because often people don't believe it can be true.[1]

Gay men may feel that being battered is a threat to their masculinity, and thus are hesitant to report domestic violence.[1] Some abusers may frame the abuse as simply an "expression of masculinity," which normalizes the physical violence.[15]

Data collection issues

There are several problems with data collection about domestic violence in same-sex relationships, including lack of reporting, biased sampling, and lack of interest in studying same-sex domestic violence.[12] For example, if samples are taken at a center that caters to LGBT individuals, the results may be unregularly high, as those who use these services may also be those in need of help, or unregularly low, as abusers often limit their partner's exposure to others, especially those who may recognize their relationship as abusive.[1][12][15][19]

Organizations

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (AVP)

NCAVP logo

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (AVP) is an organization which "works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within LGBTQ communities."[24] This organization has member organization in 26 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Canada, which help connect people to resources when they have been abused in a same-sex relationship, been sexually assaulted, or been a victim of a homophobic hate crime.[13][25]

Community United Against Violence (CUAV)

CUAV is an organization based in San Francisco that has a broad mission of seeking to track anti-LGBT violence and offer support to those affected by it.[26] They offer support groups and counseling for those who are victims of same-sex domestic violence.[27]

New York State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer Intimate Partner Violence Network ("The Network")

"The Network" seeks to advocate for victims of same-sex domestic violence within the state of New York, and hope that through supporting victims of same-sex domestic violence in the social and political realm that they will then have greater access to resources that victims of domestic violence may need.[28]

Montrose Center

The Montrose Center is an organization in Houston, Texas that began as a counseling center for LGBT individuals.[29] The Montrose Center offers many services to LGBT individuals, including servicing victims of domestic violence by finding them housing and providing counseling.[30][31] Although there are other domestic violence shelters in the Houston area, the Montrose Center feels like they can cater better to men, transgender individuals, and lesbian victims of domestic violence.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Duke, Alysondra; Davidson, Meghan M. "Same-sex intimate partner violence: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative outreach and advocacy". Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. 18: 795–816.
  2. 1 2 3 Anderson, Kristin L. "Theorizing gender in intimate partner violence research." Sex roles 52, no. 11-12 (2005): 853-865.
  3. 1 2 Barnes, Patricia G. "'It's Just a Quarrel': Some states offer no domestic violence protection to gays." ABA Journal 84, no. 2 (1998): 24-25.
  4. 1 2 Craft, Shonda M., and Julianne M. Serovich. "Family-of-origin factors and partner violence in the intimate relationships of gay men who are HIV positive." Journal of interpersonal violence 20, no. 7 (2005): 777-791.
  5. 1 2 Heintz, Adam Jackson, and Rita M. Melendez. "Intimate partner violence and HIV/STD risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals." Journal of interpersonal violence 21, no. 2 (2006): 193-208.
  6. ↑ Houston, Eric, and David J. McKirnan. "Intimate partner abuse among gay and bisexual men: risk correlates and health outcomes." Journal of Urban Health 84, no. 5 (2007): 681-690.
  7. ↑ Helfrich, Christine A., and Emily K. Simpson. "Improving services for lesbian clients: What do domestic violence agencies need to do?." Health care for women international 27, no. 4 (2006): 344-361.
  8. 1 2 3 McKenry, Patrick C., Julianne M. Serovich, Tina L. Mason, and Katie Mosack. "Perpetration of Gay and Lesbian Partner Violence: A Disempowerment Perspective" Journal of Family Violence, 21, 233-243." Journal of Family Violence 21: 233-243.
  9. 1 2 3 Pattavina, April, David Hirschel, Eve Buzawa, Don Faggiani, and Helen Bentley. "A comparison of the police response to heterosexual versus same-sex intimate partner violence." Violence Against Women 13, no. 4 (2007): 374-394.
  10. ↑ Poorman, Paula B., Eric P. Seelau, and Sheila M. Seelau. "Perceptions of domestic abuse in same-sex relationships and implications for criminal justice and mental health responses." Violence and Victims 18, no. 6 (2003): 659-669.
  11. ↑ Sorenson, Susan B., and Thomas Kristie A. "Views of Intimate Partner Violence in Same- and Opposite-Sex Relationships." Journal of Marriage and Family 71, no. 2 (2009): 337-52. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40262883.
  12. 1 2 3 Murray, Christine E., and A. Keith Mobley. "Empirical research about same-sex intimate partner violence: A methodological review." Journal of homosexuality 56, no. 3 (2009): 361-386.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "What Rights Do I Have As An LGBT Victim of Domestic Violence?" (PDF). www.americanbar.org. American Bar Association. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  14. 1 2 "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Liaison Unit (LGBTLU) | mpdc". mpdc.dc.gov. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "The National Domestic Violence Hotline | LGBTQ Abuse". www.thehotline.org. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Walters, Mikel L., Jieru Chen, and Matthew J. Breiding. "The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 findings on victimization by sexual orientation." Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 648, no. 73 (2013): 6.
  17. ↑ Stotzer, Rebecca L. "Violence against transgender people: A review of United States data." Aggression and Violent Behavior 14, no. 3 (2009): 170-179.
  18. ↑ "For D.C.'s LGBT Community, A Police Liaison Who Can Relate". NPR.org. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "NCAVP :: Issues :: Domestic Violence". www.ncavp.org. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  20. 1 2 "Men who have sex with men, HIV and AIDS | AVERT". www.avert.org. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  21. ↑ Campaign, Human Rights. "HIV & AIDS and Employment Discrimination | Human Rights Campaign". Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  22. ↑ Calabrese, Sarah K.; Underhill, Kristen (2016-10-26). "How Stigma Surrounding the Use of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Undermines Prevention and Pleasure: A Call to Destigmatize "Truvada Whores"". American Journal of Public Health. 105 (10): 1960–1964. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.302816. ISSN 0090-0036. PMC 4566537Freely accessible. PMID 26270298.
  23. ↑ Dean, Tim (February 2015). "Mediated Intimacies: Raw Sex, Truvada, & the Biopolitics of Chemoprophylaxis". Sexualities. 18: 224–246.
  24. ↑ Administrator. "National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs - AVP: The Anti-Violence Project". www.avp.org. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  25. ↑ Nameri, Heysha. "NCAVP Member Directory - AVP: The Anti-Violence Project". www.avp.org. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  26. ↑ Jenness, Valerie, and Kendal Broad. "Antiviolence activism and the (in) visibility of gender in the gay/lesbian and women's movements." Gender & Society 8, no. 3 (1994): 402-423.
  27. ↑ "CUAV Programs". cuav.org. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
  28. ↑ "NEW YORK STATE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER & QUEER INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE NETWORK". avp.org. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
  29. ↑ Rufca, Sarah (2013-10-23). "New name, new look, same mission for Montrose Center". chron.com. The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-10-19.
  30. ↑ "Anti-Violence Program". montrosecenter.org. Retrieved 2016-10-19.
  31. ↑ Tasha Amezcua et al. (2011). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-affected Intimate Partner Violence 2011. New York City, New York. National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs.
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