The Sexual Assault Center (SAC) and Domestic Violence Program (DVP) serve ALL survivors of violence, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) survivors.
Research estimates that 25% to 33% of LGBTQ relationships are abusive (the same percentage as in heterosexual relationships). Abusive LGBTQ relationships have the same dynamics of power and control as abusive heterosexual relationships; however, abusers also take advantage of a hetero-sexist and homophobic society. For example, some abusers threaten to "out" the survivor to parents, friends or employers, which could have detrimental consequences for the survivor.
Further, people who identify as LGBTQ often experience sexual violence and hate crimes from family members, acquaintances, partners or strangers. Regrettably, many service providers are not culturally competent and equipped to serve LGBTQ survivors. Due to these barriers, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and hate crimes against LGBTQ people frequently go undetected and unreported.
The Sexual Assault Center and the Domestic Violence Program have been working since 2007 to intensify efforts to improve services and outreach to survivors who identify as LGBTQ. A LGBTQ Task Force made up of committed community members and City employees was established. The Task Force is guided by this goal: To enhance the quality and sensitivity of Alexandria’s sexual and domestic violence services to persons who identify as LGBTQ so that survivors from these communities will receive informed and respectful treatment and will feel more comfortable accessing services.
Since the advent of this project, more than 2000 service providers in the City of Alexandria have been trained on how to create a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ community members.
For more information, contact the Division Chief for the Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program, Debra Evans debra.evans@alexandriava.gov.
If you or a friend have survived or are surviving sexual or intimate partner violence, please call our trained hotline staff for support.
Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Hotline: 703.746.4911
Sexual Assault Center (SAC) Hotline: 703.683.7273
Other Anti-Violence Resources
Features
Coming Out Resources for Youth and Parents
Listen to a podcast about the services the City provides to LGBTQ survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Coming Out Resources for Youth and Parents
For Youth:
- Coming Out to Your Parents: Questions to Think About – A publication from SMYAL (Sexual Minority Youth Acceptance League)
- Coming Out Trans to Your Parents & Family – A publication from PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
- How to Come Out to Family and Friends – Tips and resources for coming out
- The Trevor Project - The leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth
For Parents:
- PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) - Coming out help for families and friends
- Parenting Gay Youth: Creating a Supportive Environment – An article in the KidsPeace magazine
- Helping Families Support Their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Children - A brief by Dr. Caitlin Ryan, Director of the Family Acceptance Project
- Gay Family Support - A website written by parents of gay children for parents who just found out their son/daughter is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender
- My Child is Gay! Now What Do I Do? - Resources for parents of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth
- Family Acceptance - A website written by parents for parents based on one family's experience
- Coming Out in Middle School - NY Times Article
- Virginia Anti-Violence Project
- The State of Violence in LGBTQ Communities of Virginia Report
The Virginia LGBTQ Community Resource and Referral Guide - Rainbow Response: Greater DC Coalition to Address Intimate Partner Violence in the LGBTQ Communities
- FAQ's - Virginia Family Violence Laws and the LGBTQ Community
- National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs 212.714.1184
- Gay and Lesbian National Hotline (also serves bisexual and transgender people)
Open Monday-Friday 4 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
1.888.843.4564 - Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project 1.800.832.1901
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Power and Control Wheel
- National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence (LGBTI Publications Page)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
- Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance