Community Interventions Concerning Homophobic Violence and Partner Violence Against Lesbians

SUMMARY

Homophobic violence and same-sex domestic violence against lesbians are described in this paper based on survey research and hotline calls conducted by a community anti-violence project. A community survey of 229 lesbians indicated that during a one-year period, about fifteen percent had been the target of homophobic violence and twelve percent had been the victim of same-sex partner violence. Violence was defined as including assault with a weapon, physical assault, sexual assault, stalking, and property destruction. The prevalence study was contrasted with actual hotline calls from lesbians during a five-year period. Examples illustrate how interventions based on these findings were used to influence police response, victim services, and legislation.

Key Words:

• Lesbian
• homophobic violence
• hate crimes
• bias crimes
• same-sex domestic violence
• intimate partner violence
• domestic violence
• community intervention