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Myths, Facts and Statistics of Lesbian Domestic Violence
Fact, Fiction and Stats of Lesbian Battering

By Kathy Belge, About.com Guide

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(Continued from Page 1)

Myths of Domestic Violence for Lesbians

Lesbian relationships can’t have domestic violence, because they are both women.

Only the “butch” partner can be abusive.

It must be “mutual abusive” or “fighting” if both partners are of the same sex.

A physically smaller partner cannot abuse a larger partner.

S/M is abuse and domestic violence.

Drugs or alcohol are to blame for the violence if she only attacks when under the influence.

There is no place for lesbian victims of domestic violence to get help.

It’s not violence because she only threatens and puts me down. She has never hit me.

Facts About Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can occur in any relationship, regardless of sexual orientation.

Domestic Violence occurs when one person is clearly the victim. Mutual fighting is not domestic violence.

Even though the perpetrator may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when violence occurs, drugs and alcohol do not “cause” the domestic violence

1 in 3 women will be assaulted by an intimate partner in her lifetime (30-50% of all women)

30% of LGBT couples experience domestic violence

3 out of 4 women murdered are killed by their partners

Acts of domestic violence occur every 15 to 18 seconds in the United States

30% of all hospital emergency room admissions are female victims of domestic violence

Six million American women are beaten each year. Four thousand of them are killed.

11 women die every day as a result of domestic violence

Barriers for Lesbian Survivors of Domestic Violence

One of the big barriers for lesbians seeking services for domestic violence is that is may be hard for police or service agencies to determine which partner is the victim. Sometimes the abusive partner will call the police or seek services at a domestic violence shelter as a way to further control her victim.

Some domestic violence shelters or police may not understand that same-sex couples can be in domestic violence situations.

Some lesbians are afraid if they seek help for domestic violence, people will find out either that they are LBGTQ or that people will find out about their abusive relationship. In fact, domestic violence service organizations are bound by confidentiality agreements.

Some survivors may face homophobia in service agencies and shelters