Title

Victimization and Perpetration in Gay/Lesbian Relationships: Gender Differences Explored

Department/School

Justice and Society Studies

Date

1-1-1997

Document Type

Article

Keywords

attitude to health, behavioral sciences, crime victims, homosexuality, psychology, policy, social justice, human rights, spouse abuse

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.12.2.173

Abstract

This study explores gender differences in victimization and perpetration experiences of gays and lesbians in intimate relationships. A sample of 283 gays and lesbians reported on their experiences both as victims and perpetrators of gay/lesbian relationship violence by completing a modified version of the Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus, Gelles, & Steinmetz, 1980). General results indicate that 47.5% of lesbians and 29.7% of gays have been victimized by a same-sex partner. Further, lesbians reported an overall perpetration rate of 38% compared to 21.8% for gay men. Other findings were as follows: (1) lesbians were more likely to be classified as victims and perpetrators of violence than gay men; (2) lesbians were more likely to report pushing or being pushed than gay men; (3) lesbians reported experiencing a greater number of different victimization and perpetration tactics than gay men; and finally, (4) when items were weighted to create an indicator of severity, no significant differences between lesbians and gay men were found.

Volume

12

Issue

2

Published in

Violence and Victims

Citation/Other Information

Waldner-Haugrud, Lisa K., Linda Vaden Gratch and Brian Magruder. 1997. “Victimization and Perpetration in Gay/Lesbian Relationships: Gender Differences Explored.” Violence and Victims 12(2): 173-84.

Share

COinS