Intimate Partner Violence in Same-Sex Relationships: An Analysis of Risk and Rearrest

• Published in: Criminal justice and behavior 2019-11, Vol.46 (11), p.1515-1527
• Main Authors: Gerstenberger, Caryn, Stansfield, Richard, Williams, Kirk R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arrests; Couples; Dating; Domestic violence; Female to male; Females; Heterosexual relationships; Heterosexuality; Homosexuality; Intimate partner violence; Males; Men; Perpetrators; Recidivism; Risk; Risk assessment; Sexual behavior; Victims
• ISSN: 0093-8548; 1552-3594
• DOI: 10.1177/0093854819871984

Research on intimate partner violence (IPV) among same-sex couples remains relatively rare. Moreover, few studies examine risk and the likelihood of reoffending among such couples. The present study utilized a large sample of people (N = 6,711) arrested for IPV to explore the risk, likelihood, and timing of reoffending, including 332 perpetrators in same-sex relationships. Analyses revealed that male perpetrators in same-sex relationships had lower assessed risk than males in heterosexual relationships, and a smaller percentage were rearrested for a new violent offense. Although female perpetrators in same-sex relationships were no more likely to have higher assessed risk compared with perpetrators of female to male violence, female perpetrators in same-sex relationships had a higher likelihood and rate of reoffending, more closely resembling male-to-female violence. Female perpetrators with male victims were identified as the lowest risk to reoffend and indeed were the least likely to reoffend.