Catfights and masculinity or domestic violence? : understanding the discourse and attitudes that surround same-sex domestic violence

Abstract

Domestic violence has been an issue in front of the courts for decades. Formerly considered to be an issue that only women faced, it has now shifted to include men and people of non-binary identification, including those who are members of the LGBTQ populations. This essay argues that although the literature now includes these categories, the Criminal Justice System in North America does not take non-heterosexual domestic violence as seriously, many claims are discredited by police, the Criminal Justice System, as well as community members. This paper takes a critical look at why the literature on same-sex domestic violence appears to offer some insight into the issue but not how to address the problem. This is problematic because while it is important to understand that there is a significant problem of domestic violence in the LGBTQ community, to end the cycle of violence within same-sex couples, it is important to offer solutions and some understanding as to why this continues to happen.