The Network/La Red was formed in 1989 when a group of formerly battered lesbians came together to address domestic violence in lesbian and bisexual women's communities in Boston. Initially the group worked to educate the community and existing programs/resources for battered women about the existence of woman-to-woman battering and the need for programs to address it. In 1991, the group incorporated under the name New England Women's Support, Inc. d/b/a The Network for Battered Lesbians. The Network changed its name to the Network for Battered Lesbians and Bisexual Women in 1996, and in 2000 to The Network/La Red: Ending abuse in lesbian, bisexual women's, and transgender communities.

Direct services began in 1992 with an ongoing support group. In 1993 the hotline opened, in 1998 the safe home program began sheltering LBT folks, and in 2000 the advocacy program was added.

The Network/La Red has become a national resource and model for battered women's programs, batterer intervention programs, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender organizations beginning to address battering in lesbian, bisexual women's, and transgender relationships. We take requests from individuals, groups, researchers, and media from all over the United States and around the world seeking technical assistance and information on battering in lesbian, bisexual women, and transgender communities.

The Network/La Red is a founding member of the Boston area GLBT Domestic Violence Coalition, and a member of the National Coalition of Anti Violence Programs (NCAVP), National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Jane Doe, Inc./Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, GLBT Advisory Board to the Boston Police Commissioner, LGBT Youth Issues Committee, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, and the Advocacy Review Team.

Download The Network/La Red Media Fact Sheet

Download The Network/La Red Media Background Sheet

Mission

The Network/La Red was formed to address battering in lesbian, bisexual women's, and transgender communities. Through a) the formation of a community-based multi-cultural organization in which battered/formerly battered lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender folks hold leadership roles; b) community organizing, education, and the provision of support services; and c) coalition-building with other movements for social change and social justice, we seek to create a culture in which domination, coercion, and control are no longer accepted and operative social norms.

Media

Bay Windows 7-20-2006, New hotline numbers for The Network/La Red By Laura Kiritsy

Bay Windows 11-03-2005, Fighting to be heard
By Ethan Jacobs

Bay Windows 10/20/2005,  Fundraiser for The Network/La Red
By Laura Kiritsy

Bay Windows 03-24-2005, Stepping up to the plate
By Ethan Jacobs

Bay Windows 02-17-2005, The cast with the golden mission
R.J. Grubb

Bay Windows 12-16-2004 Fetish Fair innovates in anti-abuse, art and archives By Sue Katz
Boston Phoenix Readers Poll Best local nonprofit organization
Issue Date: November 11, 2004
Bay Windows 04/08/2004, Paint the Town (La) Red
By R.J. Grubb

UMASS Newspaper Gunner Scott Takes Aim at Abuse
By Carl Brooks Published: Thursday, October 23, 2003

Boston Phoenix Newspaper ON ANOTHER DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE FRONT LGBT battering BY KRISTEN LOMBARDI
Issue Date: August 8 - 14, 2003

Bay Windows 4-03-2003 Domestic violence: A map to safety
By Scott A. Giordano

Bay Windows 5-24-2001, Letters to the Editor Holding batterers accountable for violence

Bay Windows 12-14-2000, Appeals court confronts issues of same-sex domestic violence By Laura Kiritsy
Bay Windows 11-02-2000 Same-sex abuse cases jump in '99
By Beth Berlo
Bay Windows 9-28-2000 Network for Battered Lesbians leader is honored for her work