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Domestic Violence in Gay and Lesbian Couples
Introduction
Husband battering and other forms of violence against men are often ignored in reviews of domestic violence because it is assumed that the overwhelming majority of victims of violence are women (Steinmetz & Lucca, 1988). Further, domestic violence against men is often dismissed by statements to the effect that husbands are more likely to initiate violence and be more violent than wives and as such do not warrant significant attention as victims (Walker, 1984). The idea behind these statements is that to focus on men as equal victims of violence is both misleading and damaging to women. Steinmetz and Lucca (1988) report that studies addressing domestic violence towards men compared to women report a ratio of 1 battered husband to every 12 or 13 battered wives. To present men as equal victims of violence is therefore misleading.
Such statements are harmful in that they ignore the fact that approximately 10% of the population is gay or lesbian. Gay men are not intimately involved with wives or female lovers. Lesbian women are not intimately involved with husbands or male lovers. Denying that men can be victims of violence and that women can be perpetrators of violence denies that violence could even exist in gay and lesbian relationships. This perpetuates the acceptance of domestic violence in gay and lesbian relationships.
Introduction
Husband battering and other forms of violence against men are often ignored in reviews of domestic violence because it is assumed that the overwhelming majority of victims of violence are women (Steinmetz & Lucca, 1988). Further, domestic violence against men is often dismissed by statements to the effect that husbands are more likely to initiate violence and be more violent than wives and as such do not warrant significant attention as victims (Walker, 1984). The idea behind these statements is that to focus on men as equal victims of violence is both misleading and damaging to women. Steinmetz and Lucca (1988) report that studies addressing domestic violence towards men compared to women report a ratio of 1 battered husband to every 12 or 13 battered wives. To present men as equal victims of violence is therefore misleading.
Such statements are harmful in that they ignore the fact that approximately 10% of the population is gay or lesbian. Gay men are not intimately involved with wives or female lovers. Lesbian women are not intimately involved with husbands or male lovers. Denying that men can be victims of violence and that women can be perpetrators of violence denies that violence could even exist in gay and lesbian relationships. This perpetuates the acceptance of domestic violence in gay and lesbian relationships.
