Bibliography

Bornstein, Danica R., Jake Fawcett, Marianne Sullivan, Kristen D. Senturia, and Sharyne Shiu-
Thorton. "Understanding the Experiences of Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Survivors of
Domestic Violence." Journal of Homosexuality 1st ser. 51 (2006): 159-81. Social Work
Abstracts. Web. 23 Nov. 2009. <http://ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/login?
URL=http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=swh&AN=57106&site=ehost-live>.

The author’s of this study are Danica Borstein, MSW, Jake Fawcett, BA, Marianne
Sullivan, MPH, Kirsten D. Senturia, PhD, Sharyane Shiu-Thorton, PhD. This article is
supported by the U.S. Department of Justice Programs award numbers 98-WT-VX-0025
and 98-WE-VX-0028. Qualitative methods, focus groups, self-administered surveys, and
participatory approaches were used to gain evidentiary support of this study. Perspective
of this study is even-handed. There are no advantages of domestic violence, making there
only one available perspective in this area. The authors offer data to prove their point,
providing evidence in favor of their opinion. The research provides convincing data to
support the theses stated. Within the given focus group, authors are provided with
convincing data in regards to domestic violence in LBT relationships. Data shows that
while 81% of LBT couples surveyed used domestic violence, many of the subjects
“reported that the level of awareness regarding DV in their communities was limited.”
(Bornstein et. al 2006) The evidence in the article provides convincing conclusions in
regards to lack of community support and understanding of domestic violence within
LBT relationships. Ultimately, the research contributes to the understanding of domestic
violence in LBT relationships by providing evidence of the lack of understanding and
capability to deal with such issues. For example, the lack of community discussion about
DV in LBT relationships can be attributed to the “reluctance to draw negative attention to
relationships that are already unsupported by a homophobic and transphobic
culture.”(Bornstein et.al 2006)

Brown, Michael J., and Jennifer Groscup. "Perceptions of Same-sex Domestic Violence Among
Crisis Center Staff." Journal of Family Violence 2nd ser. 24 (2009): 87-93. Sociological
Abstracts. Web. 23 Nov. 2009.
<http://www.springerlink.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/content/58l26613m0276658/fulltext.p
df>.

In this article, Perceptions of Same-sex Domestic Violence Among Crisis Center Staff,
the authors are Michael J. Brown and Jennifer Groscup. Brown and Groscup credentials
are not listed, but both parties are employed by the Department of Psychology at CUNY,
or the City University of New York. To gain evidence in support of their thesis, that
biases affect how crisis center employees help victims of domestic violence, Brown and
Groscup gave 120 crisis center employees a vignette depicting a domestic violence
situation, and were asked to complete a questionnaire in regards to their perceptions of
the given situation. (Brown and Groscup 2009) The perspective of this study is partially
skewed. While trying to remain objective, the authors give a glimpse of favor towards the
idea that crisis center workers are biased in cases of domestic violence with heterosexual
 partners. However, the data collected provides evidence in favor of the authors’ bias,
showing that crisis center workers do in fact take heterosexual domestic violence cases
more serious than homosexual ones. The thesis most convincing in regards to the
evidence provided within the article is that of crisis center employees finding homosexual
domestic violence, as well as relationships, to be less serious than that of heterosexual
relationships and domestic violence. Evidence of this is provided throughout the entire
article. One example of persuasive data is that “mental health providers might treat gay
and lesbian victims of domestic violence differently than heterosexual victims.” (Brown
and Groscup 2009) Through persuasive data, and convincing conclusions the authors
easily convey their argument. By including information about the biases of mental health
professionals, crisis center employees, and societal norms, the authors illustrate the lack
of understanding of domestic violence in homosexual relationships, and how domestic
violence in these relationships is not taken as serious as it is in heterosexual relationships.

Brownworth, Victoria. "Dark Secrets: When it comes to domestic violence, lesbians are far from
safe." Curve 1 Nov. 2009: 42. Contemporary Women's Issues. Web. 28 Nov. 2009.
<http://search.rdsinc.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/texis/rds/suite/+4exuPJeK-
FhecxbtqzdGcw9s8W_TFqnh1ccewx1qmwwww/showdoc.html?thisTbl=CWI>.

Victoria Brownworth is a writer for Curve magazine and has a unique insight into the
lives of lesbians because she is a homosexual woman with a female lover. She was on the
selection committee for the Lambda Literary Award. The article that she wrote was
depicting the violence that many people feel only females endure from their male
counterparts in heterosexual relationships however she gives insight into how this
problem affects homosexuals as well, particularly lesbians. The article talks about not
only the issue but also the ensuing problems that follow these victims seeing as many of
these homosexuals are so afraid of the heterosexual world treating them badly due to their
sexual orientation that they don’t even feel safe enough to report their abuse to police
officers.

Burke, Tod W., Owen S. Stephen. "Same-sex domestic violence: is anyone listening?" The Gay
& Lesbian Review Worldwide 13.1 (2006). Contemporary Women's Issues. Web. 2 Nov.
2009. <http://search.rdsinc.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/texis/rds/suite/
+IemlBHILecxbtqzdGcw9s8W_TFqnh1ccewx1qmowwwewhanmeVWcjemXqwww/sho
wdoc.html?thisTbl=CWI>.

Dr. Tod W. Burke is a professor in the criminal justice department at Radford University
in Virginia, and Dr. Stephen S. Owen is an assistant professor in the same department and
school. Dr. Burke is also a retired police officer. This background has given him a
perspective that other researchers do not have. Burke was able to not only identify with
the research as a scholar, but as a former member of law enforcement that he claims was
unable to properly assess same-sex domestic violence. This article was published in The
Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide, a bi-monthly journal of history, culture, and politics
in regards to the gay community. The article, “Same-sex domestic violence: is anyone
listening?” underlines the major difference between same-sex and opposite-sex domestic
violence. It also illustrates the cycle of violence, and the characteristics of the batterer.
 The authors also provide solutions to the problem researched. This article provides a
well-rounded perspective in regards to domestic violence. Public policy is also covered,
stating that domestic violence laws need to include same-sex couples. This source is
extremely useful for this project. It applies all of the disciplines researched, analyzes
them, and provides solutions for the problem. This article utilizes other resources in order
to better validate the information being published including a report from Psychological
Reports and a paper that was presented at Third National Conference for Family Violence
Researchers in 1987. The authors of this source provide unbiased, quality information.
By including information from several disciplines, and pulling information from other
studies the authors achieve their goal in providing a well-rounded approach to same-sex
domestic violence, its consequences, and how to properly handle the situation.

Pattavina, April, David Hirschel, Eve Buzawa, Don Faggiani, and Helen Bentley. "A
Comparison of the Police Response to Heterosexual versus Same-Sex Intimate Partner
Violence." Violence Against Women 13.44 (2007): 374-94. PsycInfo. Web. 20 Oct.
2009. <http://ft.csa.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/ids70/resolver.php?
sessid=v88v0prmuatqbf462i7ecd2pl4&server=csaweb116v.csa.com&check=a92d99e9ff
baad19709ff9409ea028fe&db=sagecrim-set-c&key=1077-
8012%2F10.1177_1077801207299206&mode=pdf>.

The authors of this article used the 2000 National Incident Based reporting System
Database to conduct their research. The issue they were examining was whether the
responses by the police were the same regardless of sexual orientation of the couples
reporting domestic violence. The database contains information from 2,819 police
departments over 19 different states. The author’s perspective is even-handed in that it
uses information gained through the database to report the findings. This article is based
less on personal opinions, but on data reported findings. The data reported on
heterosexual domestic violence is also examined in this articles, and the facts concluded
in this article are that the criminal justice systems reacts to female (heterosexual) victim
domestic violence more seriously. The data contained in the article reveals that same sex
domestic violence victims face a variety of hurdles. To begin, people may view domestic
violence in same-sex relationships as “common couple violence” (Pattavina, 377) instead
of “patriarchal terrorism” (Pattavina, 377) which is reported for hetero-sexual couples.
Next, in some states, laws do not cover same-sex couples because that would involve
legislators recognizing same-sex couples as relationships in the first place, and some
states are not willing to recognize them. Six states (Hawaii, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky) offer protection specifically for same sex couples. Five
states (Virginia, South Carolina, Delaware, Montana and New York) exclude same-sex
couples from the protective orders they would issue for heterosexual couples. All other
states are considered “gender-neutral” (Pattavina, 378). The criminal justice response to
same-sex couples is also lacking. Some people are reluctant to report domestic violence
in same-sex relationships out of fear of public disclosure of information. Police officers
are not trained adequately in dealing with these cases as well. Many of these cases are
written off as both parties being responsible, which results in the victim being sent to the
same jail cell as the person that assaulted him or her. The conclusion reached in this
article is that domestic violence is just as prevalent between same-sex couples as it is
 within heterosexual couples. The victim of the same-sex couples domestic violence does
not have the same protection within the criminal justice system as the heterosexual
victim, and in many cases is not taken as seriously.

Vickers, Lee. "The Second Closet: Domestic Violence in Lesbian and Gay Relationships: A
Western Australian Perspective." E Law Murdoch University 3.4 (1996). Murdoch
University E Law, Dec. 1996. Web. Nov. 2009.
<http://www.murdoch.edu.au/elaw/issues/v3n4/vickers.html>.

The article is written in 1996, by Lee Vickers and published in Murdoch University’s
database of published Law articles, the tone begins as a shocking response to the charges
against Robert McEwan for the murder of his fourteen year same sex partner. The
charges were assessed for willful murder, in Western Australia on February 1994, but
were lessened to manslaughter when the jury could not reach a verdict. The jury was
uncertain on how to address the issue considering there are no laws governing
homosexual domestic violence. Using multiple sources, the author focuses on the silences
that surrounds same sex domestic violence, and exemplifies the extreme degree to how it
can result in death. As a society we do not know how to handle same sex domestic
violence, yet, it’s very prominent as the third leading killer among gay men in Western
Australia. Through education and effective communication, the issue can be alleviated.
The author was not very biased in her article. The author is completely objective, even
stating at one point to be a heterosexual female feminist, she backs everything with
factual sources. She is very persuasive in her conclusion to effectively address the
problems of same sex domestic violence the silence must be broken that surrounds the
topic. Since it was difficult to find articles related to health of same sex domestic
violence, I think this is a gold mine for epitomizing how unnecessary the physical health
effect (resulting death) can be avoided by simple breaking the silence of the taboo
subject.

Younglove, Jane A., Marcee G. Kerr, and Corey J. Vitello. "Law Enforcements Officers’
Perceptions of Same Sex Domestic Violence." Journal of Interpersonal Violence 17.7
(2002): 760-72. PsycInfo. Web. 28 Oct. 2009.
<http://ft.csa.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/ids70/resolver.php?
sessid=ggumn7ocm4rr2q2d24c8vdllo6&server=csaweb106v.csa.com&check=ced8e6131
d72abc5a5862d0f9fe56d1f&db=sagecrim-set-c&key=0886-
2605%2F10.1177_0886260502017007004&mode=pdf>.

The author (Younglove) is as Associate Professor at the Alliant International University.

The two other authors (Kerr and Vitello) are students at the University. They both have
their Bachelor’s Degrees and enrolled in the Forensic Psychology Program. The
evidence used to support the article is a study that included 82 police officers from a
central California city. The author’s perspectives are prejudicial, because the laws in the
state of California have included same-sex couples since 1994. All states may not have
included same sex couples in their laws, so the training for this state is better suited in
dealing with this type of violence. The article contradicts the initial findings (other
articles) that homophobia may prevent law enforcement from taking appropriate
measures in cases of same –sex domestic violence. The officers in this group study have
had specific training to include same-sex domestic violence since the change in law in
1994. The article’s purpose was to find if the perceptions of the officers were different
for each of these cases, or if they do in fact treat them all the same. The evidence
provided proved that in this area in California, the perceptions of domestic violence are
the same, regardless of the type of relationship. The author’s conclusions are convincing.
The study included 82 police officers from a city in central California. The officers were
asked 10 questions, and were not told the nature of the study. The study was not based
on domestic violence cases. This study was based on 10 questions, to determine if law
enfacement officials had prejudices toward same-sex couples. An important note in this
article is that it was based on perceptions, not actual cases, and it was studied in an area
that has specific laws that include same-sex domestic violence couples.