The Domestic Violence Advocacy Project and Lambda Law Student Association sponsored a panel discussion at the School of Law featuring three local human services workers who brought firsthand perspectives to the topic.
DVAP committee Chairwoman Holly Bryan said she created the panel because the issue is often underestimated. She said domestic violence occurs in both heterosexual and same-sex relationships with the same statistical frequency.
"October is Domestic Violence Month, and this is kind of a topic not discussed even during the month," Bryan said.
Susan Borgesi, the ARISE community response coordinator (formerly the Orange/Durham Coalition for Battered Women), and Sabrina Garcia, the domestic violence and sexual assault coordinator for the Chapel Hill Police Department, were two of the panelists who shared their opinions.
"Domestic violence stems from the need of the batterer to have power and control over their victim," Borgesi said of the similarities between both heterosexual and homosexual relationships.
She noted that a homosexual batterer uses similar methods, such as coercion and threats, to heterosexual batterers.
But she said the threat of "outing" the victim creates an additional dynamic. "You're talking about a whole new set of baggage added on to the victim."
The panel noted that ambiguously worded laws lack clear protection for same-sex relationships.
Those dating in same-sex relationships but not living together also do not have the legal protection those in heterosexual dating relationships have.
