Clinical Models for the Treatment of Gay Male Perpetrators of Domestic Violence

Violence and abuse within same sex relationships have not received the attention they merit as significat psychosocial health issues. The lesbian and gay community has reached a developmental milestone which allows critical examination of same sex relationships and the identification of problems which include physical, emotional, and psychological violence. A literature review reveals a dearth of articles on violence within same sex relationships. External and internalized homophobia are cited as factors which may contribute to low self-esteem experienced by gay males who may be abusive in their relationships. Intervention models described are individual psychosocial treatment, individual psychotherapeutic treatment, and group treatment.