NCJ Number
198835
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2003 Pages: 85-96
Date Published
February 2003
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This exploratory study analyzed the reporting practices of gay and lesbian victims of either bias crimes or same-sex battering.
Abstract
The nonprobability convenience sample used in the study consisted of incidents self-reported to a victim assistance program in a large northeast city during 1999. The victim assistance program provided a range of services to predominantly gay and lesbian individuals who experienced victimization. There were a total of 119 self-reported incidents of same-sex battering and 143 self-reported bias incidents. Of the domestic incidents, 37.8 percent were reported by lesbian victims, and 74 (62.2 percent) were reported by gay victims. Of the bias incidents, 17.5 percent were reported by lesbians, and 82.5 percent involved gay victims. Domestic violence incidents tended to involve more serious offenses, such as assault with and without weapons. Domestic violence victims were more likely to suffer injuries that required medical care than were victims of bias crimes. More than 60 percent of bias incidents were reported to the police compared with 48 percent of domestic incidents. In domestic violence incidents, lesbian victims reported assaults; whereas, in bias incidents, they were more likely to report harassment. With gay victims, more domestic incidents were reported as assaults; whereas, bias incidents were more likely to be reported as intimidation. Gay victims of bias incidents reported assaults more often than did lesbian victims. Although lesbian victims were more consistent in reporting victimization to the police, gay victims were less likely to report domestic incidents. Future studies should address the issue of why gay and lesbian victims choose to report or not report incidents to the police. 32 references