Intimate Violence in Lesbian Relationships

This paper describes the findings of a survey of 1109 lesbians who attended the Women's Music Festival held in Michigan in carly August 1985. The primary objectives of the study were to document the incidence of domestic violence in a non-random sample of lesbian relationships; to identify and describe the types of domestic violence experienced and/or perpetrated; and to ascertain thc availability and accessibility of community helping resources to survivors and perpetrators after an abusive episode. Comparisons with domestic violence in heterosexual relationships are also made, followed by a discussion on the research and practice implications of the findings.