H.A.V.E.N. Update
By Cathleen Osborne-Gowey (Program Admin – Crime Victim Advocate) 918.554.2836 or COsbornegowey@estoo.net
Notable Upcoming Events Haven will Participate In:
Support Group: Please call our office for details.
Quapaw Health Fair – June 30 (our office will have more specific details as they develop)
Completing the Circle -several events throughout June – please call our office for a complete list of dates and locations.
Program Update:
Hello all –
We hope this monthly update finds you well and enjoying the warmer weather of summer. We are in the process of starting a few projects for our program; getting ready to open a community center/on site advocate office next to our emergency temporary safe homes, putting the finishing touches on a grant that will focus on the advocacy needs of child victims of crime, and starting our mobile advocacy program. Stay tuned for more news.
June is Pride month – which means we take time to focus on the impacts of domestic violence on the LGBTQ community.
Domestic Violence and the LGBTQ Community
By National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
https://ncadv.org/blog/posts/domestic-violence-and-the-lgbtq-community
Because the majority of the domestic violence awareness movement has focused on heterosexual relationships, members of the LGBTQ community have been largely left out of the movement. However, recent research shows that LGBTQ members fall victim to domestic violence at equal or even higher rates compared to their heterosexual counterparts.
Statistics about Domestic Violence and the LGBTQ Community
- 43.8% of lesbian women and 61.1% of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime, as opposed to 35% of heterosexual women.
- 26% of gay men and 37.3% of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, in comparison to 29% of heterosexual men.
- In a study of male same sex relationships, only 26% of men called the police for assistance after experiencing near-lethal violence.
- In 2012, fewer than 5% of LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence sought orders of protection.
- Transgender victims are more likely to experience intimate partner violence in public, compared to those who do not identify as transgender.
Unique Elements of Abuse in LGBTQ Community
There are several aspects of intimate partner violence which can be unique to the LGBTQ community. “Outing” or threatening to reveal one partner’s sexual orientation/gender identity may be used as a tool of abuse in violent relationships and may also be a barrier which reduces the likelihood of help-seeking for the abuse. Prior experiences of physical or psychological trauma, such as bullying and hate crime, may make LGBTQ victims of domestic violence less likely to see help.
Barriers to Seeking Services/Receiving Assistance
Several barriers exist to addressing LGBTQ intimate partner violence. These include:
- Societal beliefs that domestic violence does not occur in LGBTQ relationships
- Potential homophobia from staff of service providers, or from non-LGBTQ domestic violence victims they may come into contact with
- Lack of appropriate training regarding LGBTQ domestic violence for service providers
- A fear that airing the problems among the LGBTQ population will take away from progress toward equality or fuel anti-LGBTQ bias
- Domestic violence shelters are typically female only, and transgender individuals may not be allowed entrance due to their gender/genital/legal status.
- The dangers associated with “outing” oneself and risking rejection from family, friends, and society
- The lack of, or survivors being unaware of, LGBTQ–friendly assistance resources
- Low levels of confidence in the effectiveness of the legal system for LGBTQ people
Why It Matters
Domestic violence is not limited to heterosexual relationships and can affect individuals of all sexual orientations and genders. Within the LGBTQ community, intimate partner violence occurs at a rate equal to or even higher than that of the heterosexual community. LGBTQ individuals may experience unique forms of intimate partner violence as well as distinctive barriers to seeking help due to fear of discrimination or bias.
Although the response to LGBTQ victims of domestic violence is gradually improving, the LGBTQ community if often met with ineffective and victimizing legal responses. Forty-five percent of victims do not report the violence they experience to police because they believe it will not help them. Furthermore, members of the LGBTQ community may be denied assistance and domestic violence services as a result of homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia.
If you or someone you love is an LGBTQ victim of abuse, please contact HAVEN and talk with one of our advocates about how we can help and what services Haven can provide.
Haven Office Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday
HAVEN Does NOT provide 24- hour service. After hours please call:
StrongHearts Native Helpline https://strongheartshelpline 1-844-762-8483 (call or text) or Community Crisis Center, Miami, OK 1-800-400-0883
StrongHearts and Community Crisis Center have 24 hour service
HAVEN is a tribal advocacy program offering support for all victims of crime, specifically domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. We serve all ESTOO tribal members REGARDLESS of where they live and local community members within Ottawa County and the cities of Vinita, Jay, Grove OK and Seneca, MO.
Please call the HAVEN office during business hours for more information.
918-554-2836 or Text Line: 918.533.3070
Program Website: https://havenprogram.com/
Program Email: havenprogram@estoo.net
Facebook: HAVEN Tribal Program, Twitter: @ProgramHaven, Instagram: HAVENTRIBALProgram.
