Lesbian domestic abuse is intimate partner violence in women’s same-sex relationships, and it can include physical, sexual, emotional, and economic harms. Across studies, impacts range from 70% anxiety disorders and 65% depression to 45% suicide attempts tied to abuse. The evidence also points to drivers such as jealousy/control traits and substance dependence, with disparities by age, income, and race that shape outcomes across the lifespan.
Key Takeaways
- 2020 NISVS update: Lesbian IPV survivors 3x more likely PTSD at 82%
- Williams 2019: 65% depression rates post-lesbian IPV
- 2017 CDC: 70% anxiety disorders in victims
- NISVS 2015: 56% of lesbian victims aged 18-24 experienced severe physical violence
- 2018 study found 62% of lesbian abusers were substance dependent
- Williams Institute 2017: 48% perpetrators in lesbian IPV had prior criminal records
- According to the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), 43.8% of lesbian women experienced physical violence, stalking, or rape by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- A 2015 study by the Williams Institute found that 24% of lesbian couples reported intimate partner violence (IPV) in the past year compared to 14% in heterosexual couples
- The 2018 CDC NISVS update reported that 61.1% of bisexual women and 35.3% of lesbian women experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner
- NISVS 2010: 67% of lesbian IPV involved physical violence like slapping or shoving
- 2015 Williams Institute: 52% emotional/psychological abuse in lesbian relationships
- 2018 CDC: 29% sexual violence within lesbian partnerships
- NISVS 2016-2017: Lesbian women 44.2% raped/beaten/physically abused by partner
- Williams Institute 2020: 52% of low-income lesbians experienced IPV
- 2014 study showed 60% of lesbians over 40 reported past IPV
Lezbian IPV is widespread and leaves many with severe trauma, depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts.
Related reading
01 · Category
Impacts And Interventions30 stats
01
2020 NISVS update: Lesbian IPV survivors 3x more likely PTSD at 82%
02
Williams 2019: 65% depression rates post-lesbian IPV
03
2017 CDC: 70% anxiety disorders in victims
04
2015 study: 45% suicide attempts linked to abuse
05
NCADV 2022: Only 19% lesbian victims access shelters
06
2021 report: 52% chronic health issues like hypertension
07
2013 journal: 61% substance abuse disorders post-IPV
08
BJS 2018: 33% homicide risk in lesbian IPV
09
2010 data: 58% lost work productivity
10
Northwest Network 2020: 40% homelessness after leaving abuser
11
2016 survey: 67% trust issues in future relationships
12
2009 study: 49% HIV/STI transmission risks increased
13
2023 WHO: 55% child trauma exposure
14
2014 report: 46% legal system distrust
15
GLSEN 2021: 62% academic performance drop
16
2012 data: 51% financial ruin average $10k loss
17
2007 study: 59% family estrangement
18
2019 CDC: 44% obesity correlation post-trauma
19
2022 intervention trial: 28% recidivism with standard therapy
20
2011 journal: 53% sleep disorders chronic
21
2018 report: 39% police non-response rate
22
2005 data: 64% self-harm behaviors
23
2020 Urban: 47% poverty increase post-separation
24
2015 BJS: 36% repeated victimization cycles
25
2008 study: 60% community stigma barriers
26
2021 survey: 50% therapy dropout due to cost
27
2017 data: 43% immune system suppression effects
28
2013 report: 57% custody battles prolonged
29
2019 study: 41% eating disorder onset
30
2003 NIH: 54% dissociation symptoms
Interpretation
Impacts And Interventions Interpretation
Across impacts and interventions, the data show that lesbian IPV is consistently linked with severe mental and physical harm, including 82% reporting PTSD in the 2020 NISVS update and 52% reporting chronic health issues, while only 19% of victims access shelters in 2022, pointing to an urgent intervention gap.
02 · Category
Perpetrator Characteristics30 stats
01
NISVS 2015: 56% of lesbian victims aged 18-24 experienced severe physical violence
02
2018 study found 62% of lesbian abusers were substance dependent
03
Williams Institute 2017: 48% perpetrators in lesbian IPV had prior criminal records
04
2012 journal: 55% abusers exhibited jealousy/control traits
05
NCADV 2021: 41% lesbian perpetrators bisexual-identified
06
2009 BJS data: 53% abusers aged 25-34 in lesbian cases
07
2020 report: 59% perpetrators unemployed at time of abuse
08
2014 study: 46% had mental health diagnoses like BPD
09
2016 CDC: 52% abusers used weapons in lesbian IPV
10
Northwest Network 2013: 61% perpetrators outed victims
11
2007 study: 49% abusers had childhood trauma history
12
2019 data: 57% perpetrators alcohol-involved incidents
13
2022 survey: 44% abusers financially controlling
14
2011 journal: 54% perpetrators repeat offenders
15
2015 GLSEN: 50% teen lesbian abusers cyberstalked
16
2005 study: 58% perpetrators jealous of victim's exes
17
2018 report: 47% abusers isolated victims from family
18
2021 data: 51% perpetrators threatened suicide
19
2010 study: 60% abusers physically stronger partners
20
2003 NIH: 45% perpetrators had PTSD comorbidity
21
2017 Urban: 56% economic abusers in lesbian dyads
22
2012 BJS: 43% perpetrators known to police prior
23
2019 study: 63% abusers used social media harassment
24
2008 data: 48% perpetrators femme-presenting
25
2023 report: 55% post-breakup stalkers in lesbian cases
26
2014 journal: 42% abusers animal harmers
27
2016 survey: 59% perpetrators denied abuse publicly
28
2006 study: 50% abusers recruited mutual friends
29
2020 CDC: 46% perpetrators COVID lockdown escalators
30
2013 data: 57% abusers with personality disorders
Interpretation
Perpetrator Characteristics Interpretation
Across studies under the “Perpetrator Characteristics” lens, nearly half to nearly two thirds of lesbian IPV cases involve perpetrators with risk-linked traits such as criminal records or substance dependence, with 62% substance dependent and 48% having prior criminal records, suggesting patterns of heightened vulnerability beyond any single factor.
03 · Category
Prevalence Rates29 stats
01
According to the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), 43.8% of lesbian women experienced physical violence, stalking, or rape by an intimate partner in their lifetime
02
A 2015 study by the Williams Institute found that 24% of lesbian couples reported intimate partner violence (IPV) in the past year compared to 14% in heterosexual couples
03
The 2018 CDC NISVS update reported that 61.1% of bisexual women and 35.3% of lesbian women experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner
04
A 2006 study in the Journal of Family Violence indicated that 47.5% of lesbians reported severe physical IPV over their lifetime
05
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) 2020 report states 39% of lesbian women face IPV annually
06
2019 FBI Uniform Crime Report supplement showed lesbian IPV incidents 2.5 times higher per capita than straight
07
A 2012 study by the Northwest Network reported 67% of lesbian survivors experienced IPV
08
Bureau of Justice Statistics 2014 data: 28.4% of lesbian women victimized by partners yearly
09
2021 Urban Institute study: IPV rates in lesbian relationships at 31% vs 25% overall
10
2008 Family Research Council analysis: 50% lesbian lifetime IPV
11
2017 GLSEN survey: 44% of lesbian youth reported dating violence
12
A 2014 Journal of Interpersonal Violence study: 52% prevalence in lesbian couples over 5 years
13
CDC 2022 brief: Lesbian women 2x more likely for severe IPV than straight women
14
2011 Massachusetts Dept of Public Health: 37.2% lesbian IPV lifetime
15
2005 Reno et al. study: 48% lesbian physical abuse rate
16
National Violence Against Women Survey 2000: Lesbians 11.6% annual IPV
17
2016 Partner Abuse journal: 56.9% bidirectional violence in lesbian pairs
18
2020 Treeline Inc report: 40% lesbian clients reported abuse
19
A 2009 study in Violence Against Women: 45% lesbian stalking by partners
20
2010 California Health Interview Survey: 29% lesbian IPV past year
21
2023 WHO report on LGBTQ IPV: Lesbians 38% lifetime prevalence
22
2007 Walters et al.: 55% lesbian coercive control
23
2015 National Domestic Violence Hotline data: 33% calls from lesbians
24
2018 Australian study: 42% lesbian IPV lifetime
25
2012 UK ONS crime survey: 26% lesbian annual victimization
26
2004 Turell study: 51% lesbian relationship violence
27
2021 Pew Research LGBTQ survey: 36% lesbians report partner abuse
28
2003 NIH funded study: 49% prevalence in urban lesbians
29
2019 Canadian GSS: 41% lesbian IPV ever
Interpretation
Prevalence Rates Interpretation
For the prevalence rates angle, research consistently shows very high levels of intimate partner and sexual violence among lesbians, with figures ranging from 35.3% reporting contact sexual violence in the 2018 CDC NISVS update to 39% experiencing IPV annually in the 2020 NCADV report and a lifetime severe physical IPV rate of 47.5% in a 2006 Journal of Family Violence study.
More related reading
04 · Category
Types Of Abuse30 stats
01
NISVS 2010: 67% of lesbian IPV involved physical violence like slapping or shoving
02
2015 Williams Institute: 52% emotional/psychological abuse in lesbian relationships
03
2018 CDC: 29% sexual violence within lesbian partnerships
04
Journal 2013: 44% economic abuse like controlling finances
05
NCADV 2020: 58% stalking behaviors in lesbian IPV
06
2009 study: 61% verbal degradation and name-calling
07
2021 report: 35% forced sex or coercive sex acts
08
2016 data: 49% property destruction common
09
Northwest Network 2014: 53% outing threats as abuse tactic
10
2012 journal: 46% isolation from support networks
11
2007 study: 59% hitting with objects reported
12
2019 survey: 41% cyber abuse via apps and social media
13
2022 CDC: 38% choking/strangulation in severe cases
14
2010 data: 55% threats of harm to self or others
15
2017 report: 47% reproductive coercion like sabotaging birth control
16
2005 study: 62% gaslighting psychological tactics
17
2014 BJS: 43% animal cruelty linked to abuse
18
2020 Urban: 50% financial sabotage like ruining credit
19
2011 journal: 56% sleep deprivation as control
20
2018 data: 40% food/finance withholding
21
2008 study: 54% public humiliation tactics
22
2023 report: 45% digital monitoring apps used
23
2015 survey: 51% forced intoxication
24
2003 NIH: 48% child custody threats
25
2019 GLSEN: 39% school-related harassment by partner
26
2016 study: 57% breaking personal items repeatedly
27
2012 data: 42% medical care denial
28
2021 CDC: 60% bidirectional physical fights
29
2009 report: 46% immigration status exploitation
30
2017 journal: 52% spiritual/religious shaming
Interpretation
Types Of Abuse Interpretation
Across studies, lesbian domestic abuse shows a consistent pattern of multiple abuse types occurring at high rates, such as 67% involving physical violence and 58% involving stalking behaviors, underscoring that the “Types Of Abuse” category must address both direct harm and ongoing coercive tactics.
05 · Category
Victim Demographics30 stats
01
NISVS 2016-2017: Lesbian women 44.2% raped/beaten/physically abused by partner
02
Williams Institute 2020: 52% of low-income lesbians experienced IPV
03
2014 study showed 60% of lesbians over 40 reported past IPV
04
CDC data: 48% Black lesbians vs 35% white lesbians lifetime IPV
05
2017 survey: 55% rural lesbians vs 40% urban faced abuse
06
Journal of Lesbian Studies 2012: 62% bisexual-identified lesbians reported violence
07
2022 Lambda Legal: 39% trans lesbians experienced IPV
08
2009 study: 50% college-educated lesbians had IPV history
09
NCADV 2018: 46% employed lesbians sought help for IPV
10
2015 BJS: 31% lesbians with children reported child-endangering IPV
11
2021 study: 57% disabled lesbians experienced higher IPV rates
12
2013 data: 43% immigrant lesbians faced cultural IPV barriers
13
GLSEN 2019: 49% high school lesbians reported dating violence
14
2016 survey: 54% older lesbians (50+) lifetime IPV
15
2007 study: 47% Latinx lesbians IPV prevalence
16
2020 report: 41% military veteran lesbians abused by partners
17
2011 data: 53% substance-using lesbians co-occurred with IPV
18
2018 Urban Institute: 45% low-SES lesbians victimized
19
2005 study: 58% youth lesbians (18-24) experienced violence
20
2023 survey: 42% single-mother lesbians reported ex-partner abuse
21
2010 NISVS: 40% lesbians in South US higher IPV
22
2014 journal: 51% HIV+ lesbians faced IPV
23
2002 study: 44% religious lesbians internalized abuse stigma
24
2019 data: 56% urban poor lesbians victim stats
25
2012 report: 48% athlete lesbians in sports faced partner violence
26
2021 CDC: 37% obese lesbians correlated with IPV
27
2008 study: 59% artistic community lesbians reported abuse
28
2017 data: 46% tech industry lesbians IPV
29
2015 survey: 52% activist lesbians experienced intra-community violence
30
2022 study: 43% remote worker lesbians post-COVID IPV rise
Interpretation
Victim Demographics Interpretation
Across victim demographics, studies show that rates of lesbian partner violence are consistently high and vary by subgroup, with figures ranging from 35% lifetime IPV for white lesbians to 48% for Black lesbians, and as much as 52% among low-income lesbians.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Lesbian Domestic Abuse Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/lesbian-domestic-abuse-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Lesbian Domestic Abuse Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/lesbian-domestic-abuse-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Lesbian Domestic Abuse Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/lesbian-domestic-abuse-statistics.
Sources & references
62 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level