ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the gendering of interpersonal violence and abuse; and the implication of sexuality for the experience of interpersonal violence and abuse by heterosexual, lesbian and gay individuals.1 While the literature on violence and abuse often considers gender and sexuality as separate issues and phenomena, processes of gendering and issues related to sexuality are by no means discrete. Here some of the overlaps, links and implications of difference will also be considered. Understanding how gender and sexuality intersect with regard to how individuals may use, experience and embody violence and abuse enables a comparison of similarities and differences across abusive lesbian, gay male or heterosexual relationships, and to consider possibly different experiences and different needs for these groups of individuals with regard to health and mental health interventions.
