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Domestic Violence in LGBTIQ Communities

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Domestic Violence in LGBTIQ Communities Resources SafeHouse Services are all free, confidential, What is domestic violence? and inclusive. We provide: Domestic violence is a PATTERN of 24 Hour Help Line: 734-995-5444 coercive behavior used by people to Help getting a protection order control their intimate partners. It Legal advocacy Domestic can include physical, emotional, Counseling Safety Planning sexual, spiritual and/or economic Support Groups Violence in abuse. Shelter Local Resources: LGBTIQ Jim Toy Community Center: (734) 995-9867 SafeHouse Center recognizes that http://www.wrap-up.org/ Communities violence occurs by and against all The Neutral Zone genders and across all sexual (734) 214-9995 orientations. We work to end the http://www.neutral-zone.org/ oppression of all people as well as Pride Zone at Ozone House value and celebrate the diversity of (734) 662-2265 A Resource for Lesbian, our community. SafeHouse Center http://ozonehouse.org/programs/qu Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, strives to protect the rights of eerzone.php everyone. Spectrum Center Intersex, Queer, and (734) 763-4186 http://spectrumcenter.umich.edu Questioning Survivors of (U of M affiliate resource) Domestic Violence Michigan Resources: How can I help my friend or Michigan Coalition to End Domestic Violence & Sexual Violen partner? ce 517-347-7000 www.mcedsv.org • Believe them! Equality Michigan 313-537-7000 • Respect their need for www.eqaulitymi.org confidentiality • Avoid judgmental comments/jokes National Resources: • Ask how you can assist rather than The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) giving advice http://www.thehotline.org/ • Respect their decisions even when The Northwest Network yours may be different http://nwnetwork.org • Be a good listener The Survivor Project • Offer your unconditional love and http://www.survivorproject.org/ support The Icarus Project http://www.theicarusproject.net Information provided by SafeHouse Center and the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Power and Control Tactics How do I know if I’m Safety Planning for of Relationship Violence being abused? Relationship Violence: Along with the many concerns survivors Has your partner? of relationship violence may experience, Threatened to hurt you, your If you are in the relationship: survivors from LGBTIQ communities children, pets, or themselves if you • During an argument, try to get to a face unique barriers and challenges. leave? room with an exit & phone. Avoid the Threatened to “out” you? kitchen (weapons) and the bathroom Being Outed Threatened to harm or take away (no exit). Fear that the abuser and/or self- your children? Threatened to “out” Make a list of safe people to call disclosure of the abuse will “out” them. you to your ex-spouse or Memorize all important numbers This is difficult and may be dangerous if authorities so they will take the people are not supportive of or sensitive Establish a code word or sign with children? to LGBTIQ struggles. family and friends so they know Kept you from seeing friends or when to call for help family? Think about what you will say to Discriminatory Responses Prevented you from seeking your partner if they become Many people minimize the experiences medical treatment, taken away violent of LGBTIQ survivors or believe myths hormones, binders, or clothes? Teach children to call for help that they deserved or enjoyed the abuse. Monitored your phone calls or No one deserves or likes to be abused Give your social security card and texts, read your email or mail? and abuse is never the fault of the birth certificate to a safe person survivor. Belittled your identity? Humiliated you in front of your If you have left the relationship: Self-Doubt friends or co-workers? Change your phone number and Many survivors experience self-blame Used the wrong pronouns screen calls and doubt. LGBTIQ survivors may also intentionally or called you “it”? Document all contacts, messages, question their gender identity or sexual Hit, punched, grabbed, slapped, bit injuries or other incidents orientation as a result of the abuse they or kicked you? involving the abuser have experienced. Forced you to do something sexual Change locks if the abuser has a that you did not want to do? key Homophobia Told you you’re not a “real” man or Try to stay with people you trust / There are several tactics of power and woman? decrease isolation control that may be specific to the Told you you’re not a “real” lesbian Plan how to get away if confronted LGBTIQ populations such as gestures to or gay man by the abuser reinforce homophobic control, Broken your things or hurt your If you have to meet you partner, reinforcing internalized homophobia, pets? do it in a public place and saying no one will believe you Threatened you with a weapon? Vary your routine because of homophobia in society, to Taken your money? Notify school or work contacts name a few. .
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