TY - JOUR PY - 2006// TI - Exploring a Community's Response to Lesbian Domestic Violence Through the Voices of Providers -- A Qualitative Study JO - Journal of feminist family therapy A1 - Linville, Deanna A1 - Merlis, Suzanne R. SP - 97 EP - 136 VL - 18 IS - 1 N2 - Lesbian domestic violence has been frequently denied among lesbian communities and society as a whole. As a result, women involved in same-sex abusive relationships remain isolated, fearful, and reluctant to identify and seek help for the abuse. This study investigated a lesbian community's response to domestic violence in same-sex relationships and the factors impacting the response. The participants included fifteen mental health professionals with expertise in the field of lesbian domestic violence. The phenomenon of “lessening the load” emerged as the central theme that categorized the lesbian community's response to domestic violence. Implications for further research and treatment are also discussed.
LA - SN - 0895-2833 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J086v18n01_05 ID - ref1 ER -