The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) in association with GLAAD, the National Center for Transgender Equality ( NCTE ), the National Black Justice Coalition ( NBJC ), the Gay and Lesbian Taskforce and Trans People of Color Coalition ( TPOCC ) announce the release of two community action toolkits that provide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer ( LGBTQ ) communities, survivors of intimate partner violence, and advocates working on their behalf, resources to address intimate partner violence on the individual and community level. The toolkits are focused specifically on intimate partner violence in transgender and people of color communities and highlight the adverse impact of intimate partner violence on transgender individuals and LGBTQ people of color.
Download the Community Action Toolkit for Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Against People of Color at the link: avp.org/storage/documents/ncavp_poc_ipvtoolkit.pdf .
Download the Community Action Toolkit for Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Against Transgender People at the link: avp.org/storage/documents/ncavp_trans_ipvtoolkit.pdf .
NCAVP's annual report Intimate Partner Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV Affected Communities in 2012, released on October 1st, 2013, documents the disproportional impact of intimate partner violence on transgender people and people of color. In 2012 a majority ( 52.4% ) of the victims of intimate partner violence homicides were people of color and people of color were more likely to suffer injuries, require medical attention, experience harassment, or face anti-LGBTQ bias as a result of intimate partner violence. In addition, transgender survivors were more likely to face threats and intimidation, harassment, and police violence as a result of intimate partner violence. Additionally, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lesbians, gay men and bisexual people experience intimate partner violence at the same or higher rates as non-LGB people.
These toolkits provide communities with a better understanding of LGBTQ intimate partner violence, and tools to raise awareness about IPV in their communities. The toolkits also include resources that help survivors plan for their safety in an abusive relationship and when interacting with law enforcement.
"Intimate partner violence is a devastating issue for LGBTQ communities and there needs to be a national discourse on how to supports survivors of LGBTQ intimate partner violence." said Osman Ahmed, NCAVP's Research and Education Coordinator at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "Through our own research we have found that transgender individuals and people of color are at higher risk for experiencing violence in intimate partner relationships and face multiple barriers when accessing services and seeking safety."
NCAVP is working with GLAAD, NCTE, TPOCC, and NBJC to raise awareness about IPV and provide resources to transgender and people of color survivors of IPV.
"This is groundbreaking to say the least and long overdue in an effort to address the violence that impacts transgender lives," said Kylar W. Broadus, Senior Policy Counsel, Director of Transgender Civil Rights Project at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "This tool is a great way to begin to address this issue and breakdown the many obstacles that transgender people face in the cycle of domestic violence. It will serve to educate and empower many."
"Many transgender people have been re-victimized when seeking relief or help from intimate partner violence, and many others have been too afraid to reach out for help at all," said Harper Jean Tobin, Director of Policy for the National Center for Transgender Equality. "Fortunately, that is beginning to change, and we believe NCAVP's important new tools will support that change."
"This tool is crucial because it brings to light a pressing issue in our community that often goes unrecognized," said Je-Shawna Wholley, Program Manager of the Emerging Leaders Initiative & Special Projects at the National Black Justice Coalition." It is our hope that city officials, service providers and community members alike will use this resource to understand and address the high prevalence of intimate partner violence in LGBT communities of color."
"These resources help us understand the epidemic of violence against the transgender community, and transgender women of color specifically," said Tiq Milan, Senior Media Strategist for GLAAD. "Far too often transgender survivors of violence are doubly victimized by apathetic and antagonistic reporting. We hope this information will arm advocates with the tools they need to end the cycle of violence."
"These realities - violence at the hands of our partners, the police and society as a whole - are not inevitable for our communities," said Parker Hurley, Deputy Director of the Trans People of Color Coalition. "This resource not only highlights the fact that LGBTQ communities do not experience violence uniformly but also provides actionable steps to address and end the disproportionate violence faced by transgender people of color, transgender women in particular."
NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an antiviolence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit us online. Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQ and HIV-affected violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org .
NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer ( LGBTQ ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.
