It is hard for anyone in abusive relationships to seek help, but there are added difficulties for lesbians. There is little acceptance of the existence of lesbian battering. Many battered women's services are not sensitive to the needs of lesbians. If her family, friends, and colleagues do not know she is a lesbian, it will be virtually impossible for the victim to reach out to them for support. Children are not an issue for battered lesbians.
Many lesbians are mothers.
Questions of child custody may arise for a battered lesbian if she admits that she is a lesbian. Abuse in the mother's relationship often exacerbates custody issues. The reasons why women are violent are different from the reasons of men. Batterers attempt to assert control over another person. Such behavior is often learned and is reinforced by the violence prevalent in our culture.