Intimate Partner Violence: Social Support And Coming Out

Abstract

Violence in same sex relationships is characterized by systematic path of dominance and control, even often stigmatized by abusive and powerful behaviors; especially, in the homosexual relationships some risk factors, as the lack of balance between the couple and the threat of public outing, play fundamental role. The relevance to identify both risk and protective factors, suggested by variable dispositions in intimate partner violence (dependence’s style, violation), situational dispositions (social support homo-negativity) and factors connected to the quality and managing ability of intimate dynamics (communication, conflict, sexuality). Some findings collected by an investigation conducted by a group of Sicilian participants (Italy) show their tendency to not have specific role, in absence of outing, in the dynamics of intimate partner conflicts. Rather, they tend to value positive aspects of the relationships, minimizing the danger of aggressive behaviors. Findings highlight the need to contrast deeply the phenomenon integrating interventions with specific actions. Especially, these actions should be addressed to social, educational, informational and political dimension, in order to fight the strong sexual discrimination in Italian area.