Comparing Love and Domestic Violence in Heterosexual and Same Sex Relationships, 2005-2006

<i>Comparing Love and Domestic Violence in Heterosexual and Same Sex Relationships, 2005-2006</i> is a mixed methods study. The study sought to increase knowledge and understanding of domestic violence in same sex relationships and had the following research aims:<ul><li>to explore the scope of domestic violence in same sex relationships via the first comprehensive national community survey</li><li>to identify similarities and differences between the experiences of those in same sex and heterosexual relationships, including use of help-seeking strategies via the criminal justice system or other agencies</li><li>to explore the impact of narratives of love as rationales for violence in heterosexual and same sex relationships, and develop comparative understandings of ways in which sexuality may or may not influence both expectations about and the 'doing' of adult intimate relationships</li><li>to explore existing analyses and develop new theories regarding domestic violence in adult relationships, by comparing the experiences of individuals in 'gender free' relationships (same sex relationships) with those in gendered (heterosexual) relationships and by focusing on narratives of love rather than gender roles</li></ul>These aims and objectives were achieved via a same sex community survey examining incidence of domestic violence in the preceding 12 months and previously, semi-structured interviews with heterosexual women, men, lesbians and gay men and focus groups (focus group data are not included in the collection available from the UKDA).<br> <br> Further information is available from the ESRC <a href="http://www.esrc.ac.uk/my-esrc/grants/RES-000-23-0650/read" title ="Comparing Love and Domestic Violence in Heterosexual and Same Sex Relationships">Comparing Love and Domestic Violence in Heterosexual and Same Sex Relationships</a> award web page.<br> <br>