Barbara W. White

Letting Out the Secret: Violence in Lesbian Relationships

Over the past 2 decades, a variety of studies on domestic violence has confirmed that abuse is widespread. This increased attention to violence in intimate relationships has been focused on heterosexual couples, despite the assertion that 4-10% of the population is homosexual. Violence among lesbian couples has largely been ignored by family violence researchers, but clinical practitioners who are sought out by the battered and/or the batterers for therapy are well aware of the extent and nature of the battering that takes place in these relationships, and that battering is not limited to heterosexual relationships. This exploratory study takes a step toward an understanding of lesbian violence by examining the incidence, forms, and correlates of violence in lesbian relationships. Based upon the responses of 284 lesbians to a questionnaire, it was found that lesbian violence is not a rare phenomenon. This finding reflects the need for further research into this social problem in all intimate relationships, including homosexual relationships.

Domestic Violence in Lesbian Relationships

Abstract Increasingly, therapists and researchers have focused attention on domestic violence in lesbian relationships. To date, however, most research has described the incidence and types of physical violence and abuse. The present study sought to explore predictors of domestic violence in lesbian relationships. Lesbian participants filled out a survey measuring physical violence and physical aggression as well as relational and personality variables. Results indicated that lesbians do report some degree of domestic violence, characterized more often by physical aggression than by physical violence. Physical aggression was best predicted by fusion, followed by self-esteem and independence. For physical violence, however, control was the most important predictor, followed by independence, self-esteem and fusion. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Practice Guidelines: Rapprochement or Estrangement Between Social Work Practitioners and Researchers

The authors take issue with the claims made by Howard and Jenson and raise concerns regarding practice guidelines within social work practice, implications for social work education, and ethical issues. Cautions are made as to the role of the National Association of Social Workers in the development of practice guidelines. Collaboration is urged among social work professional organizations, schools of social work, social service agencies, and practitioners to meet the challenges of practice guideline implementation. Only with collaboration between the practice and research communities can practice guidelines serve as an opportunity to heal the chasm between practitioners and researchers.

Balancing Power Through Community Building: Setting the Research Agenda on Violence Against Women

This article presents a feminist model for collaboration by researchers, practitioners, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault that focuses on balancing power and building community. Thirty-eight university researchers, survivors, and practitioners met to define and prioritize a research agenda on domestic violence and sexual assault, plan for continued collaboration, and evaluate the community-building process. This article presents data from focus groups, written evaluations, and researcher-participant observations that indicated the research topics that the participants ranked as the most important or useful to them and outlines the participants’ concerns about and suggestions for ongoing collaboration.

The Center for Social Work Research at the University of Texas at Austin: A Profile

The Center for Social Work Research (CSWR) in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin demonstrates how interdisciplinary research collaborations between faculty, social work practitioners, and administrators can enhance social work practice and policy development. With limited infrastructure funding since 1974, CSWR has operated with grant monies renewed through contracts with state agencies and foundations seeking program evaluation, data collection, and/or data analyses. Research has focused on topics such as at-risk youth, teenage pregnancy, open adoptions, foster care, child abuse, child care services, welfare reform, and many others. CSWR is now utilizing federal funding opportunities to expand its functions and obtain infrastructure funds necessary for supporting investigator-initiated research.