Intimate Partner Violence in Same-Sex Relationships - AmongMen MN

?The most recent significant study, released in 2002, indicated that gay and bisexual men experience abuse in intimate partner relationships at a rate of 2 in 5, one comparable to that of DV experienced by heterosexual women (see notes 1&2).? Island and Letellier describe it as ?the third most severe health problem facing gay men today,? behind HIV/AIDS and substance abuse.?

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs defines domestic violence or intimate partner violence as, ?a pattern of behaviors utilized by one partner (the abuser or batterer) to exert and maintain control over another person (the survivor or victim) where there exists an intimate, loving and dependent relationship?. Even though there has been increased awareness about intimate partner violence in LGBT communities, most of the abuse prevention programs have been geared toward heterosexual relationships. In the early 1980s the Duluth Model was developed to decrease domestic violence in heterosexual relationships based on the assumption that DV occurs as a result of patriarchal societal norms where men use their power to control women. Since this is the model that has been use to prevent DV for the past few decades, advocacy organizations, the criminal justice system, and medical personnel? have not been equipped to address same-sex partner violence properly especially in intimate relationships between men. Since men are usually seen as the batterers and women as the victims, men have not had the necessary resources available to them. Although aspects of abuse are similar in both heterosexual and LGBT relationships there are specific differences that stem from community dynamics and identity. Some of the tactics used by the abuser is threatening to ?out? the other person to their family, friends, police, employer, religious institutions, etc., telling the other person that their behavior does not fall under the terminology of ?domestic violence? because they are in a LGBT relationship,? or portraying the abuse as mutual. Although resources are limited for same-sex relationships, especially for men, they still exist. Here is a list of some websites that might be helpful:

Gay Men?s Domestic Violence Project

Lambda GLBT Community Services

Stop Abuse For Everyone (SAFE)

Domestic Violence ? Another Prospective

Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women

Yahoo Group for Battered and Abused Men

Read More>>National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs

Posted on: June 1st, 2012 by amongmen

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