Survivors have used violence for many reasons, including self-defense, desperation, anger, and to try to stop the abuse. When survivors use violence the results can be complicated. Police are often confused by same-sex domestic violence and may arrest the wrong or both parties. Friends may disbelieve the survivor. Women are not violent.
Some women abuse other women, men, and children.
Abusers and their victims come from all genders, races, classes, religions, and regions. Lesbian relationships are based on equality - lesbians have ideal, loving relationships. Lesbian relationships are just as good and as bad as all other relationships and have most of the same problems. The myth that lesbian relationships are perfect leads to silence among lesbians who are abused. Domestic violence primarily occurs among GLBT people who hang out at bars, are poor or are people of color.