Commonly-held gender role stereotypes also inhibit the societal recognition and effective policing of same sex male and female partner abuse. The belief persists that men should be able to defend themselves, and that those men who cannot or choose not to, are 'weak', 'effeminate', or 'sissies'. Many gay men are subjected to this stereotype. Combine this fact with the pervasive police heterosexism and counter charges of abuse brought by the perpetrator, and police often wind up charging both partners, or dismissing the incident as a 'fair fight'. Responding to these concerns, some members of the gay and bisexual male communities in the Greater Toronto Area are organizing a community education forum for early fall of 1998.
Interested individuals are welcome to participate.
Harrington Park Press. Copyright 1997-2001, Education Wife Assault Site updated Tuesday, August 28, 2001.