ESDS Qualidata study on Comparing Love and Domestic Violence in Heterosexual and Same Sex Relationships
Article dated: 1 February 2010
Domestic abuse is an issue for a considerable number of same sex relationships, according to new study available from ESDS Qualidata. This two-year project was the first large-scale and detailed analysis of abuse in relationships which directly compared heterosexual, gay male and lesbian couples.
Comparing Love and Domestic Violence in Heterosexual and Same Sex Relationships, 2005-2006, deposited by Catherine Donovan of the University of Sunderland, sought to increase knowledge and understanding of domestic violence in same sex relationships. This mixed methods study aimed to identify similarities and differences between the experiences of those in same sex and heterosexual relationships, and to examine how 'narratives of love' might be used across different relationship contexts to make sense of violence in intimate relationships.
The data available from the ESDS Qualidata includes 59 semi-structured interviews with heterosexual, gay male and lesbian couples which focussed on respondents’ best and worst relationship experiences, their views of love and domestic abuse in same sex and heterosexual relationships, whether they had experienced domestic abuse and how they defined this. The study also includes a same sex domestic abuse survey that attracted 800 responses and examined incidence of domestic violence.
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