LGBTQ Services

Information about services for those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ).

Page updated on Jan 31, 2017 at 2:08 PM

LGBTQ Services

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 shows that intimate partner violence exists in LGBTQ relationships at the same rate as in heterosexual and gender conforming relationships. Abusive LGBTQ relationships have similar dynamics of power and control as other abusive relationships; however, abusers also take advantage of a heterosexist and homophobic society. As one example, some abusers threaten to "out" the survivor to parents, friends or employers, which could have detrimental consequences for the survivor.

In addition, 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 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 create safe and inclusive services for LGBTQ people so that survivors from these communities will receive informed and respectful treatment and will feel safer accessing services.

Since the advent of this project, the LGBTQ Task Force has partnered with a number of City agencies and community organizations to train more than 3,000 service providers on how to create a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ community members. Service providers include social workers, counselors, advocates, police officers, deputy sheriffs, prosecutors, teachers, administrators, supervisors, healthcare professionals, firefighters, and other City employees. What began as a goal within the sexual and domestic violence programs has grown into a City-wide effort.

For more information or to join the LGBTQ Task Force, 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

Anti-Violence Resources

General Resources

Resources for Youth and Parents


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