In the month of June, we recognize Pride Month to celebrate those in the LGBTQ+ community. In light of this awareness, it is important to address the struggles these individuals may face if they become victims of violent crime and how they can access life-saving victim service resources when they need them most. Bisexual individuals are eight times as likely and gay and lesbian individuals are two times as likely to be victims of domestic violence than those who do not identify as LGBTQ+; being aware of these struggles and learning what you — providers, advocates, and allies — can do to help is key.
Accessibility to victim services is crucial for all people who experience serious violent crime. But members of the LGBTQ+ community often lack assistance from these critical services for often complicated reasons, and just like all people, they deserve access to support, planning, and safety resources that are inclusive and timely.
It is estimated that roughly 5.4% of the U.S. population identifies themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This small but growing population often finds that resources catered specifically to LGBTQ+ needs are nearly non-existent, making it difficult for victims of violent crime to seek out assistance. The lack of LGBTQ+-friendly services coupled with LGBTQ+ victims often times not having the knowledge about services or how to access them, can keep these victims in unsafe situations with little options.
The reality is that even when LGBTQ+ victims seek out victim services, they are sometimes met with discrimination by the people they are supposed to trust in these difficult, high-stress situations. The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs released a report in 2016 that found interactions with emergency shelters, medical staff, and law enforcement were a major deterrent for LGBTQ+ victims in reporting crime and seeking medical and other assistance. Here are some standout statistics from that same report specific to the LGBTQ+ community:
27% of the total number of survivors attempted to access emergency shelter — 44% were denied. The most common reason they were denied shelter was related to gender identity.
29% of respondents reported harassment by police officers and 19% reported being refused medical care because of their gender nonconforming identity.
Only 33% of survivors made a formal report to law enforcement.
Kindness, care, and treating people how they deserve to be treated goes a long way in helping victims of serious violent crime. The long-term effects of being a victim in the first place are vast; adding harassment and cruel treatment from people who are supposed to protect and help is unfathomable. Victims deserve better. LGBTQ+ people deserve better.
Gender identity and sexual orientation that falls outside of heteronormative social construct can often be difficult to navigate for people in the LGBTQ+ community. When someone decides to openly identify themselves as how they wish to be labeled, a decision known as “coming out,” many people fear being judged, misunderstood, and unaccepted. Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ reserve the right to choose the time and place and the people to whom they wish to disclose.
Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ victims of domestic violence and violent crimes sometimes choose not to seek out victim crime services for fear of being outed in the process. With suicide risks higher in the LGBTQ+ community due to discrimination and violence, outing can be a dangerous tool used by abusers to alienate and control LGBTQ+ victims, keeping them from getting the help that they need.
Rates of poverty in the LGBTQ+ community are higher, and victims fear losing the housing and financial support they may receive from their abuser. Victims can easily find themselves without resources and without support to safely leave an abusive relationship. Since many people in this marginalized group lose close family relationships and support, victims are often left to navigate their situation alone.
A nationally representative study found that 39% of adults in the LGBTQ+ community reported being rejected by friends or family members because of their gender identity or sexual orientation, and 29% reported feeling unwelcome in religious settings. Fear can be a driving force that makes looking for and finding help nearly impossible, especially for those marginalized by society for their gender identity and sexual orientation. The emotional barriers faced by those in the LGBTQ+ community keep victims silent and more vulnerable than ever before.
Instances of domestic violence are not exclusive to heterosexual relationships and victims are not always women, anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, and everyone — no matter your gender or sexual orientation — deserves access to safe, judgment-free victim services.
Here are some ways you can make a positive impact in the lives of people in the LGBTQ+ community today:
Stand up for what is right. There is enough hate and discrimination in the world. Aspire to be kind to everyone you meet, listen without judgment, and if you see unjust behavior, say something! Be a true ally.
Learn and listen. No one expects you to be an expert or to have all the answers, but if you take some time to learn the terms you don’t know or listen when someone asks you to use the correct pronoun, you will help make people feel welcome and safe. If you are a service provider, seek classes specific to learning about the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community, so you can understand better and support appropriately. Check out victim advocacy groups like EVAWI and NOVA for resources.
Donate. Consider giving to local and national resources that work to advocate for the rights of people in the LGBTQ+ community.
Accessibility to victim services should be for all people regardless of race, disabilities, gender, or sexual orientation, and the VINE solution helps to ensure all victims have no-cost access to services and programs they need. VINE offers a service provider directory that helps guide victims to local help. Because VINE is the nation’s leading automated victim notification system, victims and concerned citizens can rest assured knowing that they are getting timely and trusted custody status information, which helps make safety planning easier and gives victims peace of mind.
Let’s do what we can to look out for those around us and work toward making the world a better and safer place for us all.
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