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Domestic Violence In Lesbian Relationships

Written By: Infano
April 28, 2021

Highlights

  • Identified as a growing social problem, violence in intimate lesbian partners includes sexual, physical, or psychological abuse.
  • Sadly, domestic violence in lesbian relationships is less likely to be reported to the police as many states and countries still do not recognize same-sex relationships and marriages.
  • Creating awareness ensures that those at the receiving end of the violence will have better access to services and, ultimately, get the help they need.
  • Quick Read
  • Full Read

Identified as a growing social problem, violence in intimate lesbian partners includes sexual, physical, or psychological abuse.

Sadly, domestic violence in lesbian relationships is less likely to be reported to the police. The person abused is reluctant to report the violence in fear of coming out as homosexual and receiving prejudicial treatment. And even if someone does report it, the complaint may not be taken seriously by authorities and legal bodies. 

Activists say that raising awareness of the problem of abuse in same-sex relationships can be particularly helpful. To imagine the same happening in India is, of course, not an overnight dream. 

But I firmly believe that when people come together, change happens. If you’re looking to help, start by looking out for the people around you. 

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Does the term “domestic violence” conjure up an image of a husband (physically or otherwise) abusing his wife? If you answered yes, like most of us, then we all have some re-thinking to do. The thing is, domestic violence in our country, and largely in the world as well, is always assumed to be violence taking place in a heterosexual relationship. However, recent studies show that rates of domestic violence among same-sex partners can be equal if not at a higher level than heterosexual ones.

Often, calls for help from abused partners in same-sex relationships tend to be ignored by authorities. The matter isn’t considered “serious”. But why is this so? And what can be done to change this? In this article, I’ll be digging deep into domestic violence, particularly in lesbian relationships, hoping to throw some light and create awareness about this issue.

What is Lesbian Partner Violence & What Are Its Causes?

Identified as a growing social problem, violence in intimate lesbian partners includes sexual, physical, or psychological abuse. Although, according to researchers, physical violence is more prevalent.

Firstly, it’s essential to know where the violence stems from and what are the possible causes. Some experts believe that same-sex relationships are the subject of added stressors. These stressors can be internal and external. External stressors are a result of society’s ill-treatment and discrimination towards the LGBT community. 

On the other hand, internal stressors are the ones more harmful and damaging. It is when the abuser projects negative feelings and attitudes about themselves onto their partner. And in most cases, the person subjected to abuse begins to believe that they deserve the violence due to all the internalized negative beliefs they have about themselves!

Is Lesbian Domestic Violence Reported To The Police?

Sadly, domestic violence in lesbian relationships is less likely to be reported to the police. A common reason for this is that many states and countries still do not recognize same-sex relationships and marriages. The law fails to protect lesbian partners. Thus, the person abused is reluctant to report the violence in fear of coming out as homosexual and receiving prejudicial treatment. 

And even if someone does report it, the complaint may not be taken seriously by authorities and legal bodies. And, the reason for that? The common misconceptions we have in society about violence in general. We often think of violence as that propagated by a man or someone with more physical strength onto the woman. Unfortunately, this prejudice does more harm than that. 

When violence in a lesbian relationship gets reported, it’s somehow always assumed that the partner who has more physical strength or who is more butch is the one who’s at fault. But this is absolutely untrue. Abuse has more to do with power and control and less to do with muscularity and physical might. It’s time we learn/unlearn to equate violence perpetration with men and masculinity.

What Can We Do To Help?

Activists say that raising awareness of the problem of abuse in same-sex relationships can be particularly helpful. Creating awareness ensures that those at the receiving end of the violence will have better access to services and, ultimately, get the help they need. Some liberal and progressive states in the US such as Massachusetts have introduced various fundings and provisions to ensure gay victims of domestic violence receive the same access and help that a heterosexual person would receive.

To imagine the same happening in India is, of course, not an overnight dream. Especially in a country where merely acknowledging and accepting same-sex relationships is frowned upon, providing help to victims in such relationships can be far-fetched. 

But I firmly believe that when people come together, change happens. If you’re looking to help, start by looking out for the people around you. Someone you know is going through something similar, and they confide in you? Let them know that they can call and rely on you for help in any way. 

The silence that has existed around lesbian relationships, and now around their domestic violence issues, is the biggest threat here. The various myths, fears, taboos, and discrimination have prevented this from becoming the subject of a public discussion. It’s high time you and I speak up and break this silence, shall we?

domestic abusedomestic violencelesbiansame-sex partnerssame-sex relationship

Infano

Infano is a platform that aims to impact every facet of a woman's life - health, career, motherhood, lifestyle, and much more. We are a team of like-minded individuals who wish to be a support to women from all walks of life and in everything they do. Our aim, through our posts and articles, is to bring to light the issues and problems that women face in their day-to-day life, to try and make their life a little easier and a little better, provide the latest news updates of women around the world, and to highlight their big and small achievements. We celebrate womanhood each and every day.

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Here Is Why You Should Get The Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin
September 7, 2021 | 04:25 PM |
1,028

Highlights

  • September is Gynecological Cancer Awareness month.
  • What is Cervical Cancer?
  • Symptoms and treatment of cervical cancer?
  • How can it be cured and prevented?
  • Full Read
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September is Gynecological Cancer Awareness month. All women are at risk for cancers of the Cervix, Ovaries, Fallopian Tubes, Uterus, Vulva, and Vagina. Each gynecological cancer has different signs and symptoms and risk factors. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women.

Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix. The cervix is the entrance to the uterus from the vagina. Ninety-nine percent of cervical cancer cases are linked to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV). HPV is an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact and most people will be infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime. Though the majority of HPV infections clear up on their own and cause no symptoms, in some cases the infection can persist and develop into cervical cancer or other HPV-related cancer. 

What is cervical cancer?

Cervix is a part of the reproductive system and is sometimes called the neck of the womb. Cervical cancer is cancer that’s found anywhere in the cervix. Cervical cancer usually grows very slowly and how serious it is depends on how big it is if it has spread and your general health.

female reproductive system
Scientific medical illustration of female reproductive system illustration

Symptoms

In most cases, symptoms include, abnormal vaginal bleeding is the first noticeable symptom of cervical cancer. This can be during or after sex, between your periods, or after you have been through menopause. Other symptoms of cervical cancer may include pain and discomfort during sex, unusual or unpleasant vaginal discharge, and pain in your lower back or pelvis. Advance cancer symptoms may include frequent peeing or pooping, swelling in the legs, blood in the urine, and/or urinary incontinence.

Treatment for cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Cancers diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and palliative care.

Survey says that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. “In 2018, an estimated 570 000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide and about 311 000 women died from the disease”.

How can I prevent cervical cancer?

  1. Get regular cervical screening done with PAP test and HPV tests is the best way to identify abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix at an early stage.
  2. Get your cervical cancer or HPV vaccination
  3. Avoid smoking
  4. Practice safe sex

According to WHO, HPV vaccination and screening for and treating precancerous lesions will prevent most cervical cancer cases. Cervical cancer is preventable and curable, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively.

The global strategy for cervical cancer elimination by WHO

In May 2018, the WHO Director-General announced a global call for action to eliminate cervical cancer, underscoring renewed political will to make elimination a reality and calling for all stakeholders to unite behind this common goal. 

In August 2020 the World Health Assembly adopted the  Global Strategy for cervical cancer elimination.

On November 17, 2020, WHO launched a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, with a resolution passed by 194 countries.

About the vaccine

The HPV vaccine comes in 3 doses and each costs Rs. 2000 per dose. Anyone with a vulva who is between 9 to 45 years of age can get this vaccine. Apart from this regular screening and treatment of precancerous lesions are essential in prevention. If you haven’t got your cervical vaccine yet, speak to your physician and get one now.

If you are looking to spread Cervical Cancer Awareness within your community or organization, you can connect with CAPED INDIA at +91-9873162532. CAPED is an Indian NGO working in the area of Cervical Cancer Awareness Prevention & Early Detection for Cervical Cancer-Free Future.

Source: WHO & www.nhs.uk

cervical cancervaccine

Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin

Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin has done her masters in Journalism & Communication and has worked as a senior journalist, editor and columnist for leading publications like The Logical Indian, Deccan Chronicle, Worldwide Media Corporation, The Bridge and Provoke.
With Infano, she hopes to create more awareness about women’s health issues. Suffering with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, she has also been advocating for its awareness through media.

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