POLICE RESPONSE TO INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE CASES AMONG SAPPHIC COUPLES: A SYSTEMIC ANALYSIS TO BREAK MYTHS SURROUNDING THE “LESBIAN UTOPIA”
Location
FA-152
Department
Justice Studies
Abstract
This research paper will review the current state of literature regarding the police response to intimate partner violence cases in Sapphic relationships and the help-seeking tactics of survivors. False stereotypes of intimate partner violence in Sapphic relationships must be broken up. They lead us, as a society, to worsen the state and consequences of intimate partner violence in its specificities about Sapphic relationships. This paper aims to draw upon the literature to identify needed improvements in the formation of police officers. The methodology used consisted of a literature review of the aforementioned topic regarding Saphic intimate partner violence help-seeking experiences with law enforcement. Regarding methodology, the sources for this review were located through the online databases “Academic Search Ultimate” and “Credo Reference,” as well as Google Scholar. All of the resources used to build this review are research articles that either summarize results of multiple studies or the results of their own. Several key findings emerge from this literature review. The lack of formation of police officers – both for officers having administrative responsibilities and those working in the field – must not be underestimated, considering the amount of agency officers have. Their lack of formation can lead them to rely on their biases. Homophobic and sexist responses are to be looked at through the lens of intersectionality. The stereotypes are often internalised, even by members of the LGBT+ community. Such stereotypes can act in favour of the perpetrator, who can use these as a way of maintaining pressure on the survivor. Conjointly, a history of mistrust between the LGBT+ community and the police still remains. The “gap of trust” (Donovan & Hester, 2011, p. 29) between them both makes it particularly difficult for members of the community to believe in the institution of policing as a viable source of help. Therefore, informal sources of help – such as friends and family – are commonly sought by survivors.
Faculty Sponsor
Adam Messinger
POLICE RESPONSE TO INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE CASES AMONG SAPPHIC COUPLES: A SYSTEMIC ANALYSIS TO BREAK MYTHS SURROUNDING THE “LESBIAN UTOPIA”
FA-152
This research paper will review the current state of literature regarding the police response to intimate partner violence cases in Sapphic relationships and the help-seeking tactics of survivors. False stereotypes of intimate partner violence in Sapphic relationships must be broken up. They lead us, as a society, to worsen the state and consequences of intimate partner violence in its specificities about Sapphic relationships. This paper aims to draw upon the literature to identify needed improvements in the formation of police officers. The methodology used consisted of a literature review of the aforementioned topic regarding Saphic intimate partner violence help-seeking experiences with law enforcement. Regarding methodology, the sources for this review were located through the online databases “Academic Search Ultimate” and “Credo Reference,” as well as Google Scholar. All of the resources used to build this review are research articles that either summarize results of multiple studies or the results of their own. Several key findings emerge from this literature review. The lack of formation of police officers – both for officers having administrative responsibilities and those working in the field – must not be underestimated, considering the amount of agency officers have. Their lack of formation can lead them to rely on their biases. Homophobic and sexist responses are to be looked at through the lens of intersectionality. The stereotypes are often internalised, even by members of the LGBT+ community. Such stereotypes can act in favour of the perpetrator, who can use these as a way of maintaining pressure on the survivor. Conjointly, a history of mistrust between the LGBT+ community and the police still remains. The “gap of trust” (Donovan & Hester, 2011, p. 29) between them both makes it particularly difficult for members of the community to believe in the institution of policing as a viable source of help. Therefore, informal sources of help – such as friends and family – are commonly sought by survivors.