Domestic Violence and Batterer Intervention in the GLBT Community Allison Vogt, LBSW Anti-Violence Program Specialist

Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Overview

Gay – a term used to denote a male who is emotionally, physically, and romantically attracted to other males.

Lesbian - a term used to denote a female who is emotionally, physically, and romantically attracted to other females.

Bi-Sexual – a term used to denote a person who is emotionally, physically, and romantically attracted to both males and females.

Transgender – a term to denote a person whose gender identity differs from their biological gender.

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Domestic Violence in the GLBT Communities

1 in 4 gay, lesbian and bi-sexual relationships have some form of domestic abuse. 1 in 2 transgender relationships have some form of domestic abuse.

Types of Abuse

Types of Abuse/Differences

• • • • • • • • • Physical Emotional Verbal Sexual Financial Coming Out Medical Chemical Dependency Using children/pets

Internalized Homophobia/Transphobia • • • The internalization of society’s attitudes and beliefs about the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender communities. This affects both the person who is being abused and the abuser. Internalized homophobia may be a direct cause of battering in some relationships.

Barriers to Services

• • • • • • • Internalized homophobia/transphobia Lack of media representation of same-sex domestic violence Limited access to appropriate shelter services for victims/survivors Limited or no training for first responders (law enforcement, medical personnel) Limited or no training in the judicial system: lack of sentencing, Protective Orders Limited access to BIPP services-groups in particular Limited funding for culturally appropriate services. Agencies serving the GLBT communities are funded to serve victims/survivors, not batterers

Group Issues-GLBT • • • • • Coming out Group reaction-microcosm issues Group deflection Leader’s cultural competency Cultural issues

Training Participant’s Experiences

Questions?

the Montrose Center Offers

• • • • • • • • Emergency Shelter Hospital Accompaniment Police Accompaniment Legal Accompaniment Protective Order linkage and advocacy Crime Victims Compensation and VINE Registry Assistance Individual and Group Therapy Case Management

THANK YOU!

www.montrosecenter.org

713.529.0037