Women who experience domestic violence within same-sex relationships do not realise it because they think abuse can only happen between heterosexual, married couples, according to research.

Lesbian victims also often do not seek help from domestic violence services or LGBT organisations. Instead they “privatise support” and tell therapists, friends or family members, according to a doctoral researcher from Trinity College Dublin.

Lynne Cahill’s preliminary research findings mirror a report from the Rape Crisis Network Ireland which showed that LGBT victims are reluctant to come forward. Ms Cahill, who is conducting research into same-sex partner violence, said the victims she had spoken to “had a very stereotypical understanding of what constitutes domestic violence”. “They said they thought domestic violence was between a man and a woman.