Saturday, September 29, 2012

Characteristics of Violence

I came across this great academic article concerning same-sex intimate partner violence! One of the most useful things that this article points out - in my opinion - is how the experience of same-sex intimate partner violence is unique in some ways.

The article points out that while the types of abuse that take place in same-sex relationships are similar to opposite-sex relationships (psychological, physical, sexual, isolation, battering), same-sex intimate partner violence is different in two specific ways.

1. Perpetrators often use the threat of "outing" their partner as a form of violence. Being "outed" can have many detrimental effects for individuals and is useful in controlling their behavior.
2. Victims may experience much higher levels of isolation than opposite-sex partners. This is because same-sex partners may be isolated if they are still "in the closet," they often lack the same legal protections as opposite-sex partners, and their place in the legal system is less defined.

Additionally, this article points out that abusers exhibit the same types of characteristics regardless of the type of relationship they're in. It is also useful to note that same-sex partners are more likely to defend themselves than opposite-sex partners.

The full citation of this article:
Rohrbaugh, Joanna Bunker. 2006. "Domestic Violence in Same-Gender Relationships." Family Court Review: 44 (287-299). 

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