Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

In the first section of this chapter I will review the research on racial differences and similarities in the rates and types of physical partner violence across the relationship continuum. In the section section, I will focus on new directions for research. More specifically, methodological problems may influence the research findings, and thus our understanding of racial differences in domestic violence. I will review these research limitations and offer suggestions for more appropriate research methods. The goal of the final section is to articulate a Black feminist theoretical perspective that better explains violence in the lives of Black women.

Researchers have been investigating partner violence for more than 20 years, yet there is a discernible absence of research on interpersonal violence among lesbian couples. Three aspects of lesbian battering are reviewed here. First, the incidence rates and distinct forms that lesbian battering are discussed. Next, the dynamics and correlates of lesbian abuse are highlighted. The concluding section focuses on suggestions for intervention.

The purpose of this article is to review the many forms of violence in the lives of African American women, including childhood sexual abuse, dating violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. The first section will address definitions of violence, prevalence rates and risk factors, and suggest new directions for research.The second section is a review of the most common psychological sequelae associated with Black women's victimization. The final section is devoted to activities that promote healing, including therapy, participation in research studies, and activism.

This volume used a Black feminist framework to investigate childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and community violence in the lives of African American women. This article will summarize the authors' findings, review their suggestions for intervention, and provide a list of readings and resources.