Perceptions of Domestic Abuse in Same-Sex Relationships and Implications for Criminal Justice and Mental Health Responses

• NCJ Number: 205236
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 18 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2003 Pages: 659-669
• Author(s): Paula B. Poorman; Eric P. Seelau; Sheila M. Seelau
• Date Published: December 2003
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined perceptions of domestic violence in cases of same-sex relationships.

Abstract

Previous research has established both the prevalence of same-sex partner abuse and its similarities to abuse found within heterosexual relationships. Other studies on domestic violence have indicated that the sex of the perpetrator, victim, and the observer influences perceptions of the seriousness of the violence; however, none of these studies included scenarios depicting domestic abuse between same-sex partners. The current study presented 171 male and female university students with 4 versions of a domestic violence incident in which the sex of the victim and perpetrator were varied to produce 4 between-participant conditions: (1) male perpetrator and female victim; (2) female perpetrator and male victim; (3) male perpetrator and male victim; and (4) female perpetrator and female victim. All other points in the scenarios were identical. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and a questionnaire measuring their perceptions of the domestic abuse incident. Results of statistical analyses produced results consistent with previous findings about perceptions of heterosexual domestic abuse. The majority of participants perceived both the heterosexual and same-sex abuse to be at least somewhat serious. Significantly more participants perceived the abuse to be very serious when the perpetrator was a male and the victim was a female. Significantly more participants recommended the victim press charges when the victim was female and the perpetrator was male. Findings also suggested that same-sex victims were less believable than heterosexual victims. Overall, results are consistent with previous research findings that indicate male abuse of females is considered more serious than any other abuse scenario. The findings have implications for criminal justice, mental health, and social service practitioners who respond to situations of same-sex domestic abuse. Future studies should focus on clarifying the perceptions of these groups of practitioners. Table, references