In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Chief Shawn Cronin and the Dighton Police Department would like to share information about LGBTQ+ domestic abuse and resources for those who may be experiencing or witnessing this abuse.
Every October, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence organizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month in an effort to raise awareness and educate the public. In recognition of this month, the Dighton Police Department will be sharing a series of communications relating to domestic violence with a focus on different communities each week. This week’s focus is domestic violence in the LGBTQ+ community.
The following information is courtesy of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP):
According to a report released by the NCAVP in 2017, 57% of LGBTQ+ hate violence survivors reported that they knew the person who harmed them and they were most often: an employer or co-worker (22%), a relative or family member (21%), or a landlord or neighbor (20%).
Types of Violence
- In 2017, both hate and intimate partner violence survivors most commonly
reported experiencing verbal harassment. - Behind verbal harassment, physical violence was the next leading (16%) form of intimate partner violence experienced in LGBTQ+ communities in 2017. Following verbal harassment and physical violence were threats and intimidation, and isolation.
- Some groups within the LGBTQ+ community were disproportionately likely to experience particular types of intimate partner violence including transgender women, who were nearly two and a half times more likely to experience sexual violence and nearly four times more likely to experience financial abuse than survivors who did not identify as transgender women.
- Leading biases reported in intimate partner violence in 2017 were heterosexist/anti-LGBTQ+ biases (37%), anti-transgender biases (33%) and HID/AIDS related biases (8%).
- The most common relationship between an IPV survivor and the abusive
person was ex-lover or ex-partner (45%), followed by a current lover or partner
(31%).
Accessing Services
In 2017, 66% of all survivors of IPV who reported incidents to NCAVP members, accessed safety planning services. Services included legal services, mental health counseling, domestic violence services and housing.
- A general form to report violence to the Anti-Violence Project can be accessed here. It should be noted that this form connects individuals to the NYC staff. If reporting from outside New York, staff will refer you to a local AVP or another source of local support.
- Local NCAVP affiliates in the Massachusetts area include Fenway Health Violence Recovery Program and The Network/La Red.
- Fenway Health Violence Recovery Program – Fenway’s Violence Recovery Program (VRP) provides counseling, support groups, advocacy, and referrals to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and hate violence. The VRP program specializes in working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) individuals. To reach the VRP consult line call 617-927-6250 or 800-834-3242 (Toll-Free).
- The Network/La Red – The Network/La Red is a survivor-led, social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, BDSM, polyamorous, and queer communities. The Network/La Red has a 24-hour hotline that provides confidential emotional support, information, referrals, safety planning, and crisis intervention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and/or transgender (LGBTQ+) folks. Individuals can call the hotline at 617-742-4911 (voice) or 800-832-1901 (Toll-Free).
For immediate assistance in the Dighton area, contact the Department’s Civilian Police Advocate Stephanie Gendreau at 774-434-1746. |
Additional resources for reporting elder abuse include: |
- In an emergency, call 911.
- For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224. If you’re unable to speak safely, you can chat online, or text LOVEIS to 22522. Additional crisis organizations and helplines can be found by clicking here.
- SafeLink is Massachusetts’ statewide 24/7 toll-free, multilingual hotline and a resource for anyone affected by domestic violence. SafeLink’s 24-hour hotline is available by calling 877-785-2020.
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