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Violence within Lesbian relationships has been a hidden problem. For lesbian women, being abused by a woman partner creates an emphasis upon her lesbian identity and leaves her vulnerable to homophobia and misogyny. Many women view lesbian relationships as a positive alternative to potentially abusive heterosexual relationships. There is an assumption that lesbian women use "egalitarian principles" in their relationships. Given that women are perceived as nurturing and supportive, abusive interactions seem contradictory. There is an added fear that acknowledging lesbian battering will generate even broader negative images about the lesbian community. Lesbian women are often ostracized, discriminated against and seen as participating in sexually deviant behaviour thereby threatening the moral and social fiber of patriarchal society. Homophobia can diminish self-esteem, isolate and add stress to lesbian couples.
FACTS- Approximately 10-15% of all Canadian women identify themselves as lesbian women
- Lesbian women come from every race, religion, social, economic background, occupation, political affiliation, age, and ability.
- There are no distinguishing physical characteristics that differentiate lesbian women from heterosexual women.
- Many lesbian women are feminists, but feminism is a political perspective that some lesbian women may not share
MYTHS ABOUT ABUSE IN LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS- Lesbian relationships are never abusive-FALSE
Violence does exist in some relationships despite an assumption that lesbian women are caring and supportive to one another
- Lesbian violence only occurs in "Butch/Femme" relationships. The "Butch" is the batterrer and the "Femme" the victim-FALSE
Most lesbian women do not assume explicitly Butch-Femme roles nor do they automatically impose who had more power or control in the relationship.
- Abuse between lesbian women is mutual-FALSE
In violent relationships, there is most often a perpetrator and a victim. A perpetrator does not make one an equal contributor to abuse.
- Lesbian violence is caused by substance abuse, stress, childhood violence or provocation-FALSE
Although such factors may help explain why an abuser acts the way she does, there is no simple cause and effect relationship. Abusers have choices and are responsible for their violent behaviour.
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