Same-sex domestic violence

Abstract

This research sets out to discover the type of abuse and the cycle of abuse in same-sex domestic violence (SSDV) and whether they are similar to opposite-sex domestic violence (OSDV). Furthermore, it will explore if lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) survivors experience the same reasons for staying in abusive relationships as heterosexual survivors. Moreover, it explores LGB survivors‟ additional barriers to leave the abusive relationship and to seek formal and informal help. Finally, it explores how knowledgeable and aware social workers in the domestic violence (DV) sector and Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM – an organisation that fights for Maltese LGBTQ community‟s rights) are about such phenomena. The reasons are to bring more awareness about such reality both in the heterosexual and gay communities and to improve social work services for LGB survivors. Thus, three survivors of SSDV were interviewed about their abusive experience. In addition one social worker from MGRM and three social workers from the DV sector were also interviewed. All social workers worked with LGB survivors, thus they were asked about their client‟s experience of abuse. In addition they were asked about the nature of SSDV and its unique difficulties in order to assess their knowledge and awareness. Moreover they were asked about their attitudes towards their clients to assess how warm and accepting they are towards such survivors. It is found that the type of abuse and the cycle of violence in SSDV operate in the same way as in heterosexual relationships. In addition, the findings suggest that mutual battering in same-sex relationships is a myth. Moreover, from the sample it would seem that LGB survivors stayed in the abusive relationship for the same reasons heterosexual survivors do. However, it emerges that LGB survivors have additional barriers to leave and to seek help. LGB survivors interviewed showed reluctance to seek social services in the DV sector owing to shame and lack of trust. Finally, social workers appear to require more knowledge and awareness about the uniqueness of SSDV, although they seemed sympathetic and accepting towards LGB clients. Thus, it is recommended that social workers in the DV sector are trained more about the gay lifestyle and the difficulties they experience, whilst social workers in the LGB field acquire more knowledge about DV. In addition, social workers need further training in SSDV to be exposed to specific knowledge about this area and increase their awareness about the existence of this phenomenon and its severity. Moreover awareness about SSDV must be raised and increased within the LGB community itself as well as information giving about the DV services that could cater for them. Thus, they may become more aware of such services and feel more at ease to reach out to them.