title: Legal and psychological perspectives on same-sex domestic violence: a multisystemic approach.
abstract: This article presents the legal and psychological aspects of same-sex domestic violence (SSDV) in a multisystemic model that encompasses family systems, friends and the gay-lesbian-bisexual communities, legal systems, and mental and physical health systems, encouraging family psychologists to be the leaders of reform. The current status of relevant laws is integrated into the literature on SSDV, which includes prevalence, myths regarding SSDV, help-seeking behavior of victims, and similarities and differences between SSDV and opposite-sex domestic violence. Recommendations for change in all of the overlapping systems and in the public policies of the larger society are included.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational and Psychological Studies, School of Education, Merrick Building 312, P.O. Box 248065, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33124-2040, USA. mikepfl@bellsouth.net
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Potoczniak
authors.forename: Jon Etienne
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mourot
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crosbie-Burnett
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Potoczniak
mesh_terms: D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014481:United States