According to a report conducted by The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) comprised of 25 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender victim advocacy and documentation programs located throughout the United States, there were a documented 3,327 cases of LBGT domestic violence in 1997. Of those incidents, 1,746 (52%) were reported by men, and 1,581 (48%) by women. In total, 109 (3%) of these persons identified as transgender, 105 who identified as transgender women and 4 who identified as transgender men. Statistics suggest then, roughly 25 percent of LBGT in relationships experience same sex violence. Clearly the problem is prevalent, and can't be ignored.
Those services for women abused in heterosexual relationships, are usually not appropriate services for lesbians, or to men as a result of heterosexual bias.
What can we do to help victims of abuse? Friends and family of victims of abuse can locate resources for the abused, encourage safety planning, respect confidentiality and listen to their concerns with a non judgemental ear. Friends of perpetrators of abuse must let them know abuse is unacceptable, and hold them accountable for their actions. If you think someone is still at risk, then tell the police. If a child is in the home - then by law you must tell the child welfare authorities.
What can society in general do? Associations and individuals must struggle to educate others on the existence of same sex abuse. We must let others know it exists and advocate for the development of social programmes to assist both victims and abusers.
Medical professionals must recognize their important role in aiding victims of abuse. They must examine their own attitudes and feelings to ensure they are not heterosexist, become aware of the myths concerning partner abuse in LBGT relationships, respect their clients anxieties about " coming out", and learn about social support networks within and outside of the LBGT community.
These links provide information on same sex partner abuse and resources for victims of abuse and abusers seeking help.
1. Gay partner abuse project
http://www.gaypartnerabuseproject.org/html/stories.html
2. Wife assault project
http://www.womanabuseprevention.com/html/same-sex_partner_abuse.html
3.University of Western Ontario's Anti-Violence Program
http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/psych/vioweb/
4. Tucson's Anti-violence Program.
http://www.azstarnet.com/public/nonprofit/wingspan/dv.htm
5. Gay men's domestic violence project
http://www.gmdvp.org/
6. Lambda Association
http://www.lambda.org/