“Family” Support for Family Violence: Exploring Community Support Systems for Lesbian and Bisexual Women Who Have Experienced Abuse

ABSTRACT

“Family” is a euphemistic term that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people use among ourselves to designate membership in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Ironically, this “family” may be the most sought, yet least successful, support for dealing with the intimate partner violence that occurs within LGBT families. This study of 11 lesbian and bisexual women's experiences seeking support revealed several tiers of unmet needs within the LGBT community. They rarely used services in the general community, although these services are often the focus of both criticism and efforts to build support systems for LGBT victim/survivors. A model presents the different stages and potential sources of support.

KEYWORDS:

• Intimate partner violence
• domestic violence
• lesbian couples

Acknowledgements

Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Family Support Center of the Chippewa Valley, the Chippewa Valley Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center.

Susan Turell, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and Coordinator of Women's Studies at University ofWisconsin–Eau Claire. She is a licensed psychologist and former director of the Rape Crisis Program of the Houston AreaWomen's Center. Dr. Turell is a member of the LGBT committee of theWisconsin Coalition against Sexual Assault and Wisconsin Coalition against Domestic Violence.

Molly Herrmann, M.S., is a researcher and activist in LGBT intimate partner violence (IPV). She is on local and state LGBT IPV committees, and has provided statewide domestic violence and sexual assault training. She has over 10 years experience in HIV prevention, is a public health educator for theWisconsin Division of Public Health, and is affiliated with Critical Mass Consulting.