Istanbul Convention’s Neglect of Female-Perpetrated Abuse is a Historic Betrayal of Women in Same-Sex Relationships

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Rebecca Hain: +1-513-479-3335

Istanbul Convention’s Neglect of Female-Perpetrated Abuse is a Historic Betrayal of Women in Same-Sex Relationships

WASHINGTON / January 30, 2023 – Numerous studies show that women in same-sex relationships experience higher rates of domestic violence than women in heterosexual relationships. Inexplicably, the EU Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women, also known as the Istanbul Convention, excludes consideration of female-perpetrated violence.

Surveys reveal that lesbian-perpetrated violence is more frequent than heterosexual partner violence (1). A study conducted in Italy found the following (2):

52.9% of women revealed the presence of quarrels with their female partner was “substantial”
11.8% of women admitted to “always” fearing their partner’s reaction
19.5% of women said their female partner had requested sex against their will

A United Kingdom survey revealed (3):

40.1% of females reported they had ever experienced domestic abuse by a female partner.
Women were more likely to have their sexuality used against them, be blamed for their partner’s self-harm or have their children threatened or used against them in some way, compared to male homosexuals.

Commentators have deplored the long-standing “silence around the violence” arising from domestic violence policies that focus only on heterosexual abuse. As a result, female perpetrators are viewed as less violent, police are unresponsive to pleas for help, shelters are unprepared, and counseling programs fail to recognize the unique challenges faced by women in abusive same-sex relationships (4).

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union states unequivocally, “Human dignity is inviolable” (Article 1), “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person” (Article 6), and “Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex….shall be prohibited” (Article 21). (5)

The Istanbul Convention’s open discrimination against women in same-sex relationships is a flagrant violation of the European Charter. The Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance urges country-level lawmakers to contact Members of the European Parliament to express their concerns.

The Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance – DAVIA — consists of 70 member organizations from 25 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. DAVIA seeks to ensure that domestic violence and abuse polices are science-based, family-affirming, and gender-inclusive. https://endtodv.org/coalitions/davia/

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