Is stigma preventing reportage of domestic violence between same sex couples?

[HereSince1628]

2. Yes, I wouldn't challenge the truth of that

although I don't understand the Dr Phil reference. In some ways, the report suggest merely that same-sex couples are 'just people', too, with respect to being subjected to pressure to be silent.

The perceived role of stigma influencing help-seeking and consequently data that becomes 'the formal record' is what I found interesting. Suffering in silence for not wanting to be forced "out of the closet", as well as the need to conform to the prevailing group image, are both proposed as reasons for under-reporting of violence among same-sex couples. Interestingly, it's a behavior that apparently has a sex-bias that's similar to sex bias in healthcare seeking in the population at large.

At any rate, under-reporting is suggested to be a behavior influenced, at least in part, by perception of potential hostile reaction to being labelled/stigmatized. That is to say, it is behavior influenced by cognition and emotion. You don't have to be dx'd with a mental disorder to be influenced by stigma, and stigma is real, not a phantom issue in the psychiatric industry.

Maybe, if the problematic role of stigma is understood across groups better accepted than persons with mental disorders there can be broader sensitivity to stigma in general, and a greater interest in snuffing it out. Even on DU.

Maybe not.