Dangerous Dances: Treatment of Domestic Violence in Same-Sex Couples

Source: (2007) In John Hamel and Tonia L. Nicholls, Ed., Family Interventions in Domestic Violence. New York, USA: Springer Publishing Company. Pp. 397-415.

“The existence of same-sex domestic violence challenges the traditional assumption that domestic violence is rooted primarily in men’s patriarchal privilege. While the role of patriarchy in perpetuating and maintaining domestic violence cannot be underestimated, battering in lesbian and gay relationships brings to light the need for a multidimensional understanding of domestic violence. In order to address the complex individual, relational, and societal variables that underlie the perpetration of battering, we must creatively broaden both our theoretical understanding of domestic violence and our treatment modalities. Although domestic violence also occurs in bisexual and transgender relationaships, this chapter focuses specifically on how, under certain circumstances, couple therapy can be safe and effective treatment modality for lesbians and gay men.” (excerpt)