Definition of Roles in Abusive Lesbian Relationships

Most studies of domestic violence, both heterosexual and homosexual, focus on two roles for the parties involved-that of either perpetrator or victim. However, research indicates that women who are abused, either by a male or a female partner, also often use physical violence in their intimate relationships. The present paper seeks to understand these latter cases by analyzing clinical data derived from the private treatment of 62 lesbian clients who self-identified as either victims or perpetrators of partner abuse. The analysis reveals that in addition to the two traditional roles of perpetrator and victim in abusive relationships, there is a third rold, that of participant. Participants are lesbians who establish a pattern of fighting back against their partners with the intent to hurt and/or injure them. The clinical implications of these findings are explored.