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About Woman-to-Woman Domestic Violence
Women do abuse women. Violence is not a problem limited to heterosexual relationships. Lesbians, bisexuals, transgender women -- all women intimate with women may use power over their partners. They may use verbal, emotional, physical and/or sexual power to control the other person.
Domestic violence and abuse affects women of all ethnic backgrounds, classes, and sexualities.
The issue in domestic violence is control. A woman may physically fight back but this does not mean that the violence is mutual - the battering partner maintains emotional and/or physical control.
Lesbians of color may suffer racist as well as homophobic abuse in their relationships.
Woman to woman domestic violence can be just as damaging and pervasive as heterosexual domestic violence.
There are many reasons why a battered lesbian may remain in an abusive relationship. Some reasons include: lack of financial resources, fear of physical or emotional reprisals (including outing), or lack of support by family, friends, counselors, and community.
Battering relationships are rarely only violent. Love, caring and remorse may be part of a cyclical pattern of abuse. This can leave the battered woman feeling confused and ambivalent.