| GLBT
Domestic Violence Coalition
|
March 2008
GLBT Domestic Violence Screening Tool Conference
Tuesday, March 11th, 2008
Report: Shelter/Housing Needs for GLBT Victims of Domestic Violence
Report
Finds 57% of GLBT Domestic Violence Victims Become Homeless and Recommends Viable
Crisis Housing Solutions
Securing appropriate crisis housing is a challenge for any domestic violence victim,
but the situation is especially dire for GLBT victims according to a new report:
SHELTER/HOUSING NEEDS FOR GLBT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, released on Tuesday
February 21st by the GLBT Domestic Violence Coalition and Jane Doe Inc., with
collaboration and support from the Housing and Homelessness Subcommittee of the
Governor's Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence, Senator Jarrett Barrios's
Office, and Representative Liz Malia's Office.
According to the report,
"While the characteristics of each abusive relationship are unique, GLBT
domestic violence is substantially similar to that in heterosexual relationships.
The primary differences include abuse related to one's GLBT identity and GLBT
victims' negative experience in accessing services, including shelter. …
An overwhelming number of GLBT victims (57%) become homeless due to the abuse,
with a large number (18%) reporting that they lose everything."
The
report is the result of public hearings held at the State House in October 2005.
GLBT victims and survivors testified as to the impact of the abuse on their lives,
their resulting needs for shelter/housing and their struggles to achieve safety
in the current system of services.
Download
a copy of the report here
Join our annoucement list serve AnnouceGLBTDVC-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Domestic Violence Coalition is an active working group made up of members of Boston, MA area GLBT communities and their allies, domestic violence advocates, law enforcement, District Attorney's office, medical/hospital staff, and university staff.
The GLBTDVC serves as a point of connection and referral to outside organizations and community groups for professional training and GLBT community workshops. The GLBTDVC is a coordinator of regular forums for the greater domestic violence community. The GLBTDVC also serves as a think tank to guide the development of services and to avoid the duplication of services and competition for funding.
The
GLBTDVC was originally formed in the summer 1994. A small group of advocates who
worked with GLBT clients to see how they might better collaborate in delivering
services, to explore the possible benefits of more formalized communication, and
to support one another while working on an issue which was, and still is, marginalized
by the mainstream domestic violence community and both within and outside the
GLBT communities.
Workshops
are available as well as we do a yearly conference on the screening tool. Email
glbtdvc@thenetworklared.org
for more information.
GLBTDVC
is currently accepting new members.
The
GLBTDVC meets once a month with committee meetings occurring more frequently and
reporting back to the greater coalition. Current committees are membership, screening,
roundtable, and community education.
Mission
To heighten awareness
of GLBT battering within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities
as well as in the straight community.
To provide education and training on GLBT domestic violence and to guide the development of a comprehensive community response.
To improve the quality and quantity of available resources; to develop new services where needed; and to serve as a point of connection and community organizing around ending GLBT domestic violence.
Members of the Coalition agree that:
If
you are interested in joining download our membership
package and mail to:
The Network/La Red
Attn: GLBT DVC
PO Box 6011
Boston,
MA 02114
For questions or comments email: glbtdvc@thenetworklared.org or call: 617-927-6269