Intimate Violence Among Lesbian Couples

SUMMARY

Intimate violence between opposite sex partners has been increasingly acknowledged and empirically studied in recent decades. Findings from both quantitative and qualitative research have resulted in a substantive knowledge base that is widely accepted and applied in treatment. Unfortunately, intimate violence between partners of the same sex has not been adequately addressed. The limited research data that has emerged raises questions not only about the prevalence of the problem, but also the definition of the problem, some differing dynamics as compared to heterosexual couples, the responses of crisis workers, social services, the police, and the courts, and appropriate therapeutic interventions. The authors discuss the above mentioned topics as they apply to intimate violence between female partners. They offer recommendations for clinicians who treat women involved in abusive, intimate relationships, as well as researchers who aim to build much needed knowledge about this neglected issue.

Key Words:

• Partner abuse
• family violence
• couples
• couple violence
• lesbian
• women