Lesbian/Bisexual Mothers and Intimate Partner Violence: Help Seeking in the Context of Social and Legal Vulnerability

Abstract

Mothers in same-sex relationships face unique challenges when help seeking for intimate partner violence (IPV). Formal helping systems often invalidate their family relationships, leaving them vulnerable and distrustful when help seeking. To better understand their experiences, the authors interviewed 24 lesbian/bisexual mothers who were either in or had left abusive same-sex relationships. Increasing severity of violence, effects of violence on children and families, and "being tired" influenced their definitions of the situation. Decisions to seek formal help appeared to be influenced by their support from informal networks and perceived stigma related to the intersection of IPV and being lesbian or bisexual.

When Intimate Partner Violence Meets Same Sex Couples: A Review of Same Sex Intimate Partner Violence

“…Such discussion may explore other issues such as expectation in relationships, negotiating differences, power issues, and warning signs of abuse rather than identifying who experienced violence and respecting participants privacy. Another objective was also to shift from organizational interventions to a community-based prevention to support health relationships and provide information and prevention to lesbian communities (Fonseca et al, 2009; Ford et al, 2013). The variety of approaches presented attempt to better respond to local settings rather than standardizing programs (Hatzenbuehler et al, 2015).…”

The Intimate Partner Violence Stigmatization Model and Barriers to Help Seeking

“…Our literature review also provided evidence that anticipated stigma is more complex when those experiencing abuse do not fit into societal expectations of IPV victims. For instance, women experiencing IPV in same-sex relationships expressed anticipating intersectional stigma for being in an abusive relationship and being a lesbian (Hardesty et al, 2011). Thus, anticipating stigma from support networks was a combination of devaluation based on IPV and one’s sexuality.…”

“…Relatively few studies have explored how IPV stigmatization affects help-seeking behavior (see, Hardesty, Oswald, Khaw, & Fonseca, 2011; Liang et al, 2005; Limandri, 1989; Williams & Mickelson, 2008, for exceptions). Liang and colleagues (2005) outlined a theoretical framework – not based on stigma -- for understanding help-seeking behavior among those who experience IPV.…”

Influence of Perceived Femininity, Masculinity, Race/Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status on Intimate Partner Violence Among Sexual-Minority Women

“…This specific form of IPV, a partner threatening to disclose one’s sexual orientation to family members, coworkers, or other persons, stems from the lack of legal protections for sexual-minority persons and/or the fear of rejection by family members or in other personal relationships (Ristock, 2002; Rohrbaugh, 2006). Sexual minorities may need to weigh the threat of ongoing IPV against the threat posed by disclosure of their sexual identity (Hardesty et al, 2011). …”