Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

In 1994, California amended its domestic violence legislation to include same sex couples. It is commonly believed within the gay and lesbian community that homophobia induces law enforcement officers to respond differently to incidents of domestic violence involving same sex couples than to incidents involving opposite sex couples. However, the dearth of empirical research has precluded assessing the validity of this assumption, especially since the legal man date has changed. This study addressed whether the assumption of homophobia among police officers is supported through a survey designed to ascertain perceptions about same sex domestic violence. Results showed no differences in how police perceived a scenario of domestic violence based on the sexual orientation of the involved couple. To the extent that expressed perception reflects acknowledging a need to comply with the legal mandate, there is reason to be hopeful that homophobia need not deter appropriate law enforcement response to the problem of domestic violence among same sex couples.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bachman, R. , & Coker, A. L. (1995). Police involvement in domestic violence: The interactive effects of victim injury, offender's history of violence, and race. Violence and Victims, 10(2), 91-106.

Burke, M. (1994). Homosexuality as deviance: The case of the gay officer. British Journal of Criminology, 34(2), 192-203.

Burke, R. A. (1996). A matter of justice: Lesbians and gaymen in law enforcement. New York: Routledge.

Cal. Penal Code §243 (Deering 2001).

Cal. Penal Code §273.5 (Deering 2001).

Coleman, V. E. (1994). Lesbian battering: The relationship between personality and the perpetration of violence. Violence and Victims, 9(2), 139-152.

Cruz, J. M. , & Firestone, J. M. (1998). Exploring violence and abuse in gay male relationships. Violence and Victims, 13(2), 159-173.

Letellier, P. (1994). Gay and bisexual male domestic violence victimization: Challenges to feminist theory and responses to violence. Violence and Victims, 9(2), 95-106.

Lie, G. , Schilit, R. , Bush, J. , Montagne, M. , & Reyes, L. (1991). Lesbians in currently aggressive relationships: How frequently do they report aggressive past relationships? Violence and Victims, 6(2), 121-135.

10.

People v. Cameron, 53 Cal. App. 3d 786 (1975).

11.

People v. Silva, 27 Cal. App. 4th 1160 (1994).

12.

Ryan, S. (2000). Examining social workers' placement recommendations of children with gay and lesbian adoptive parents. Families in Society, 81(5), 517-528.

13.

Stith, S. (1990). Police response to domestic violence: The influence of individual and familial factors. Violence and Victims, 5(1), 37-49.

14.

Waldner-Haugrud, L. K. , Vaden Gratch, L. , & Magruder, B. (1997). Victimization and perpetration rates of violence in gay and lesbian relationships: Gender issues explored. Violence and Victims, 12(2), 173-184.

Law Enforcement Officers' Perceptions of Same Sex Domestic Violence

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References