Domestic Violence and Sexuality

"[This book] has the potential to improve responses to domestic abuse for all victims, their children and others impacted by abusive behaviour." James Morgan Brown Review

"Domestic violence and sexuality changes the public story about domestic violence. The heart of the book is the rich trove of interviews in which female and male identified survivors reflect on their experience. Respectful, often heart-breaking and always instructive, this work sets a gold standard for how we understand domestic abuse in same sex relationships." Evan Stark, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration

“Hester and Donovan present compelling new research that explores love and violence in both same sex and heterosexual relationships. We see the impact of societal and cultural beliefs on experiences of domestic violence across different genders and sexualities. This is essential reading for researchers and practitioners who want to stop partner abuse and promote respectful and equal relationships.” Professor Janice Ristock, PhD, Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs), University of Manitoba, Canada

“This book is not just about DVA in same sex relationships, although its contributions in that arena would be more than enough for me to call it a “must read.” Beyond that, Donovan and Hester’s analysis of their data in terms of both power/control and practices of love provides insights that go beyond same-sex relationships and beyond intimate partner violence.” Michael P. Johnson, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Women's Studies, and African and African American Studies, Pennsylvania State University

Catherine Donovan is Professor of Social Relations at the University of Sunderland, UK, and lead of the Centre for Applied Social Sciences. She has extensive experience of conducting research on same sex intimacy, parenting and families.

Marianne Hester OBE is Professor of Gender, Violence and International Policy at the University of Bristol, UK, and heads the Centre for Gender and Violence Research. She has extensive experience of researching domestic violence and abuse.

What is the problem?;

How did we research? The COHSAR research approach;

Setting the Context - Sexuality matters;

Identifying and experiencing domestic violence and abuse;

What’s Love got to do with it?

Barriers to help seeking - Tackling the Gap of Trust;

Key Findings and Implications for Practice.