While heterosexual domestic violence has received a great deal of public attention since the O.J. Simpson trial, some experts said last night that violence in same-sex relationships is not taken as seriously.
The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Programs Office and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center sponsored a panel discussion yesterday to discuss abuse in lesbian, gay and bisexual relationships. Workers from Safehouse, a battered women's shelter, and lesbian survivors of domestic violence spoke to the audience of about 15 people.
"In general, people tend to believe it doesn't happen, and if they do, they tend to minimize it," said SAPAC Director Joyce Wright.
Ann Humphry, Safehouse coordinator and a survivor of lesbian domestic violence, said that in addition to physical, emotional and sexual abuse, same-sex victims also have to cope with "homophobic control." This includes "threats to tell the victim's significant others about his or her sexual orientation."
Humphry, who spoke at the panel discussion about her experiences and patterns in homosexual domestic violence, said there are many myths about same-sex violence. This includes the myth that the more masculine woman in a lesbian relationship is more likely to abuse the more feminine partner.
"There is no association between violence and traditional gender roles," Humphry said.
Nancy Galbraith, an Eastern Michigan University graduate student and intern at Safehouse, pointed out that gay men have an especially difficult time dealing with an abusive partner.
"There are no men's shelters for men to seek these services," Galbraith said. "It is more difficult because they are hidden."
Galbraith pointed to a research study on domestic violence in lesbian and gay relationships that suggested weekly support groups for victims and educating local officials on issues of same-sex abuse. Safehouse offers a support group for lesbian survivors of domestic violence.
Humphry said homosexual victims also have a harder time reporting their story because they are not taken as seriously.
"Non-heterosexual victims find it more difficult to say they are being victimized," Humphry said. "When they come forward and tell someone, the violence is minimized. They get told, 'That's what you get.'"
Many agree that same-sex relationship violence is not researched enough for the public to be familiar with it.
"There's not a lot of information available about domestic violence," said LGBPO director Ronni Sanlo. "Same-sex domestic violence isn't talked about unless the person reporting is astute enough to talk about it."
Humphry said that while only a few studies on same-sex abuse were published before 1990, there has been an increase in studies recently.
Rachel Ermann, an LSA senior who is doing an Alternative Spring Break project on domestic violence, agreed that while she hasn't heard a great deal about non-heterosexual violence, it still must be discussed.
"I think any kind of violence is a problem," Ermann said.
JOHN KRAFT/Daily
Safehouse Coordinator Ann Humphry speaks on behalf of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Programming Office on domestic violence and abuse in non-heterosexual relationships last night. Humphry is a survivor of lesbian domestic violence.