Hit Me with Your Best Shot

Sexuality, Threat, and Instigation in Intimate Partner Violence Culpability

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a considered one of the most pervasive forms of gender-based violence. In Canada, approximately 4% of Canadians report severe forms of IPV, such as being physically, sexually, or emotionally victimized by their partner. That said, these rates are a drastic underrepresentation of the true rate of IPV that is not reported to the police, including violence within same-sex relationships. Statistical data indicates that those in gay, lesbian, or bisexual relationships are more likely to be victims of violent crimes such as IPV relative to those in heterosexual relationships. Further, public surveys indicate that members of same-sex couples often refrain from reporting IPV due to threats related to their sexual identities. Research also has demonstrated that our perceptions of violence are moderated by extralegal factors, such as sexual orientation. Specifically, violence against women is viewed as more severe and taken more seriously by the criminal justice system than violence against men, across both same-sex and opposite-sex relationships. As such, the seriousness and criminal justice response to IPV incidents may be minimized or misinterpreted based on views about sexuality and gender identity, as well as levels of homophobia. Given that pre-existing biases and beliefs can lead to judicial bias concerning judgments of severity, culpability, and blame, this study was designed to examine how views concerning sexual orientation, use of threats, and instigator gender influence judgments of IPV.

Faculty Mentor: Kristine Peace

Department: Psychology