Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Social Context of Woman-to-Woman Intimate Partner Abuse (WWIPA)

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Family Violence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Forty women who had been in abusive adult, intimate relationships with other women were interviewed. Their life experiences leading up to these abusive relationships were qualitatively examined to determine how heterosexism created a social context in which women were left vulnerable to abuse and dependent on their abusers. Childhood abuse, negative coming out experiences, lack of a queer community, and substance/alcohol abuse contributed to survivors’ vulnerability to abuse by making them socially isolated from a support system and dependent on their partners to reconstruct a sense of family.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Women who are intimately involved with other women may identify as bisexual, lesbian, queer, heterosexual, or choose more specific terms (butch, femme, etc.), while some may prefer to eschew a sexual identity completely. While “there is no generally acceptable definition of queer; indeed, many of the common understandings contradict each other irresolvably” (Jagose 1996, p. 99), I use the term “queer” as an umbrella term to speak about the women in this study as a whole and all non-heterosexuals in general. I use the term with the goal of being more inclusive of all sexual identities (see Girshick 2002).

References

  • Amadio, D. M., Adam, T., & Buletza, K. (2008). Gender differences in alcohol use and alcohol- related problems: do they hold for lesbians and gay men? Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 20, 315–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Austin, S. B., Jun, H., Jackson, B., Spiegelman, D., Rich-Edwards, J., Corliss, H. L., & Wright, R. J. (2008). Disparities in child abuse victimization in lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women in the nurses’ health study II. Journal of Women’s Health, 17, 597–606.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Babbie, E. (2004). The practice of social research (10th ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balsam, K. F. (2002). Traumatic victimization in the lives of lesbian and bisexual women. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 7(1), 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balsam, K. F., Rothblum, E. D., & Beauchaine, T. P. (2005). Victimization over the life span: a comparison of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual siblings. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 477–487.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beaulaurier, R. L., Seff, L. R., Newman, F. L., & Dunlop, B. (2007). External barriers to help seeking for older women who experience intimate partner violence. Journal of Family Violence, 22, 747–755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belknap, J., & Holsinger, K. (2007, November). Is sexual minority status a strain for delinquency? Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA.

  • Bernhard, L. A. (2000). Physical and sexual violence experienced by lesbian and heterosexual women. Violence Against Women, 6, 68–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bornstein, D. R., Fawcett, J., Sullivan, M., Senturia, K. D., & Shiu-Thornton, S. (2006). Understanding the experiences of lesbian, bisexual and trans survivors of domestic violence: a qualitative study. Journal of Homosexuality, 51(1), 159–181.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brand, P. A., & Kidd, A. H. (1986). Frequency of physical aggression in heterosexual and female homosexual dyads. Psychological Reports, 59, 1307–1313.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, T. W., Jordan, M. L., & Owens, S. S. (2002). A cross-national comparison of gay and lesbian domestic violence. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 18, 231–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, S. (1999). Concept mapping as a feminist research method-examining the community response to rape. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 23(1), 65–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, P. H. (1990). Black feminist thought: Knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment. Cambridge: Unwin Hyman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooperman, N. A., Simoni, J. M., & Lockhart, D. W. (2003). Abuse, social support, and depression among HIV-positive heterosexual, bisexual and lesbian women. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 7(4), 49–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Augelli, A. R. (2003). Lesbian and bisexual female youths aged 14 to 21: developmental challenges and victimization experiences. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 7(4), 9–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Augelli, A. R., Grossman, A. H., & Starks, M. T. (2006). Childhood gender atypicality, victimization, and PTSD among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 1462–1482.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Drabble, L., & Trocki, K. (2005). Alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and other substance use among lesbian and bisexual women. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 9(3), 19–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duke, A., & Davidson, M. M. (2009). Same-sex intimate partner violence: lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative outreach and advocacy. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 18, 795–816.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, L., Kaufman, M., Fuhrel, A., Cain, D., Cherry, C., Pope, H., & Kalichman, S. C. (2008). Examining factors co-existing with interpersonal violence in lesbian relationships. Journal of Family Violence, 23, 607–705.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eigenberg, H. M. (Ed.). (2001). Woman battering in the United States: Till death do us part. Prospect Heights: Waveland Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gelles, R. J., & Straus, M. A. (1988). Intimate violence. New York: Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giorgio, G. (2002). Speaking silence: definitional dialogues in abusive lesbian relationships. Violence Against Women, 8, 1233–1259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Girshick, L. B. (2002). Woman-to-woman sexual violence: Does she call it rape? Boston: Northeastern University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardesty, J. L., Oswald, R. F., Khaw, L., Fonseca, C., & Chung, G. H. (2008). Lesbian mothering in the context of intimate partner violence. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 12(2–3), 191–210.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hart, B. (1986). Preface. In K. Lobel (Ed.), Naming the violence: Speaking out about lesbian battering (pp. 9–18). Seattle: Seal Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassouneh, D., & Glass, N. (2008). The influence of gender role stereotyping on women’s experiences of female same-sex intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 14, 310–325.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hequembourg, A. L., Parks, K. A., & Vetter, C. (2008). Sexual identity and gender differences in substance use and violence: an exploratory study. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 2(3), 174–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hotaling, G. T., & Sugarman, D. B. (1986). An analysis of risk markers in husband to wife violence: the current state of knowledge. Violence and Victims, 1, 101–124.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, T. L. (2003). Lesbians’ drinking patterns: beyond the data. Substance Use & Misuse, 38, 1739–1758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, E. M. (2007). A comparison of help seeking between Latino and non-Latino victims of intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 13(2), 159–171.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jagose, A. (1996). Queer theory: An introduction. New York: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalmuss, D. (1984). The intergenerational transmission of marital aggression. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 46(1), 11–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, B. C., & Parsons, J. T. (2007). Prescription drug misuse among club drug-using young adults. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Use, 33, 875–884.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerby, M., Wilson, R., Nicholson, T., & White, J. B. (2005). Substance use and social identity in the lesbian community. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 9(3), 45–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kvale, S. (1996). Interviews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambda Legal. (2010). Employment and rights in the workplace. Retrieved from http://data.lambdalegal.org/publications/downloads/out-at-work_ch1.pdf/

  • Lobel, K. (Ed.). (1986). Naming the violence: Speaking out against lesbian battering. Seattle: Seal Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lofland, J., Snow, D., Anderson, L., & Lofland, L. H. (2006). Analyzing social settings: A guide to qualitative observation and analysis. Belmont: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahoney, P., Williams, L. M., & West, C. M. (2001). Violence against women by intimate relationship partners. In C. M. Renzetti, J. L. Edleson, & R. K. Bergen (Eds.), Sourcebook on violence against women (pp. 143–178). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (1989). Designing qualitative research. Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, C. R., & Selvidge, M. M. D. (2005). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients’ experiences in treatment for addiction. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 9(3), 79–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, J. A. (2005). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, K. E., Luchok, K. J., Richter, D. L., & Parra-Medina, D. (2006). Factors influencing help-seeking from informal networks among African American victims of intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 1493–1511.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, C. E., & Mobley, A. K. (2009). Empirical research about same-sex intimate partner violence: a methodological review. Journal of Homosexuality, 56, 361–386.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. (2009). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer domestic violence in the United States in 2008. Retrieved from http://avp.org/documents/2008NCAVPLGBTQDVReportFINAL.pdf

  • Opdenakker, R. (2006). Advantages and disadvantages of four interview techniques in qualitative research. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 7(4). Retrieved from http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/175/391

  • Pilkington, N. W., & D’Augelli, A. R. (1995). Victimization of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth in community settings. Journal of Community Psychology, 23(1), 34–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potter, H. (2008). Battle cries: Black women and intimate partner abuse. New York: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pròspero, M., & Vohra-Gupta, S. (2008). The use of mental health services among victims of partner violence on college campuses. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 16, 376–390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Renzetti, C. M. (1992). Violent betrayal: Partner abuse in lesbian relationships. Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ristock, J. L. (2002). No more secrets: Violence in lesbian relationships. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russo, A. (1999). Lesbians organizing lesbians against battering. In B. Leventhal & S. E. Lundy (Eds.), Same-sex domestic violence: Strategies for change (pp. 83–96). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherzer, T. (1998). Domestic violence in lesbian relationships: findings of the lesbian relationships research project. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 2(1), 29–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M., Gelles, R. J., & Steinmetz, S. K. (1980). Behind closed doors: Violence in the American family. New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swan, S. C., & Sullivan, T. P. (2009). The resource utilization of women who use violence in intimate relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24, 940–958.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tjaden, P., Thoennes, N., & Allison, C. J. (1999). Comparing violence over the life span in sample of same-sex and opposite-sex cohabitants. Violence and Victims, 14, 413–425.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trocki, K., & Drabble, L. (2008). Bar patronage and motivational predictors of drinking in the San Francisco bay area: gender and sexual identity differences. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 5, 345–356.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turell, S. C. (2000). A descriptive analysis of same-sex relationship violence for a diverse sample. Journal of Family Violence, 15, 281–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turell, S. C., & Herrmann, M. M. (2008). “Family” support for family violence: exploring community support systems for lesbian and bisexual women who have experienced abuse. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 12(2), 211–224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Waltz, J., Babcock, J. C., Jacobson, N. S., & Gottman, J. M. (2000). Testing a typology of batterers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 658–669.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weeks, J., Heaphy, B., & Donovan, C. (2001). Same sex intimacies: Families of choice and other life experiments. New York: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • West, C. M. (2002). Lesbian intimate partner violence: prevalence and dynamics. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 6(1), 121–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weston, K. (2004). Fieldwork in lesbian and gay communities. In S. Nagy Hesse-Biber & M. L. Yaiser (Eds.), Feminist perspectives on social research (pp. 198–205). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Widom, C. (1989). Does violence beget violence? A critical examination of the literature. Psychological Bulletin, 106(1), 3–28.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

The author would like to thank Drs. Joanne Belknap, Hillary Potter, Celeste Montoya-Kirk, Matthew C. Brown, and Bronwen Lichtenstein for their guidance with this project, and the reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology/Sociology, Georgia Southwestern State University, 800 GSW University Drive, Americus, GA, 31709, USA

    Courtney McDonald

Authors
  1. Courtney McDonald
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Courtney McDonald.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McDonald, C. The Social Context of Woman-to-Woman Intimate Partner Abuse (WWIPA). J Fam Viol 27, 635–645 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-012-9455-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-012-9455-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation