Law enforcement officers' perceptions of same sex domestic violence - Reason for cautious optimism

In 1994, California amended its domestic violence legislation to include same sex couples. It is commonly believed within the gay and lesbian community that homophobia induces law enforcement officers to respond differently to incidents of domestic violence involving same sex couples than to incidents involving opposite sex couples. However, the dearth of empirical research has precluded assessing the validity of this assumption, especially since the legal mandate has changed. This study addressed whether the assumption of homophobia among police officers is supported through a survey designed to ascertain perceptions about same sex domestic violence. Results showed no differences in how police perceived a scenario of domestic violence based on the sexual orientation of the involved couple. To the extent that expressed perception reflects acknowledging a need to comply with the legal mandate, there is reason to be hopcful that hornophobia need not deterappropriate /ou, entowetnent response to theproblem of domestic violence among same sex couples.