‘I Hate the Word “Victim”’: An Exploration of Recognition of Domestic Violence in Same Sex Relationships

Abstract

In this article, drawing on interviews with women and men in same sex relationships who have experienced domestic violence, we explore the ways in which recognition of domestic violence can be hampered by public stories about the phenomenon and practices of love. Public stories construct domestic violence as a gendered, heterosexual phenomenon that is predominantly physical in nature. Victims of domestic violence are also constructed as 'other' , weak and passive. In addition, we argue that practices of love obfuscate practices of violence; and can also result in victim/survivors constructing themselves as stronger than the perpetrator who needs their care.

Filling the Silence: Exploring the Bisexual Experience of Intimate Partner Abuse

“…The forms of abuse participants reported were similar to those reported for heterosexual and LGBT people, such as constant criticism, threats, physical assaults, rape, and being humiliated, amongst many others (Bornstein et al, 2006;Browne & Law, 2007;Donovan & Hester, 2010;Roch, Ritchie, & Morton, 2010;Walsh, 1996). Despite reporting a range of abuse, participants in this study seemed to focus their interview responses on the emotional abuse they had experienced.…”

Developing content to promote desistance in men who have committed intimate partner violence in same-sex relationships

“…It also suggests that the factors within the SARA can be considered to apply to either sex or any sexual orientation. Notwithstanding, the literature identifies many nuances that can characterise acts of IPV that fall outside of the heterocentric "public story" of IPV (see Donovan & Hester (2010) for a discussion of this "public story").…”

Why do they Keep Going Back? Exploring Women's Discursive Experiences of Intimate Partner Abuse

“…Some of the most frequent reasons cited in the literature for women staying in or returning to abusive intimate partnerships are love, hope and feelings of commitment and loyalty to their partner and relationship (Anderson, et al, 2003;Donovan & Hester, 2010;Herbert, et al, 1991;Karan & Keating, 2007;Olson, 2010;Strube & Barbour, 2007). This may appear somewhat contradictory because people tend to "set love in opposition to abuse" (Fraser, 2005: 10-11).…”