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Screening for LGBT Victims of Domestic Violence in Legal Services

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Screening for LGBT Victims of Domestic Violence in Legal Services

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  1. American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence, in collaboration with the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) presents2009 Domestic Violence Webinar Series: Tips and Strategies in Protecting Victim Privacy, Representing LGBT Victims and Representing Victims With Disabilities Screening for LGBT Victims of Domestic Violence in Legal Services Ben Lunine, Esq. and Sharon Stapel, Esq. Wednesday, April 22, 2009 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST This project is supported by Grant Nos. 2004-WT-AX-K078 and 2005-WT-AX-K011 awarded by the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. The opinions, findings, and recommendations expressed in this document are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

  2. Learning Objectives As a result of this webinar, participants will be better able to: • Identify the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity; • Develop a more accepting/welcoming/non-hostile space and staff for LGBT clients; • Increase cultural competency around sexual orientation and gender identity; and • Apply cultural competency skills to screening and intake with clients.

  3. LANGUAGE

  4. “LGBTQQI” Acronym Breakdown A standard acronym: Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Questioning Intersex NOTE: These terms are fluid and DO NOT represent all sexual orientations or gender identities. It is always best to respect individuals’ self-determination and honor the terms they use to identify themselves.

  5. Let’s Talk About Sexual Orientations Sexual Orientation “is about who you are sexually or romantically attracted to, whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, etc.” • Lesbian • Gay • Bisexual • Queer • Heterosexual -Sylvia Rivera Law Project, 2007. Report: “It’s War In Here.”

  6. Let’s Talk About Gender Gender Identity is about your internal sense of self as feminine, masculine, or other. • Gender Presentation is how you express your gender outwardly; it's often measured by the kind of clothes you wear, the kind of makeup (if any) you use, your mannerisms, and other behaviors that are stereotypically seen as masculine, feminine, or other. Transsexual Genderqueer Gender Non-Conforming Drag King/Queen Cross-Dresser

  7. What is Intersex? “Intersex is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male.” - Intersex Society of North America “Intersex activist organizations are working to educate doctors, parents, and medical students so that children with intersex conditions will be allowed to determine what procedures they may or may not want for their bodies after they have fully developed.” -Sylvia Rivera Law Project 2007. Report: “It’s War In Here.”

  8. Language: Do’s and Don’ts DO call people by the name they prefer. DO call people by the pronoun they currently use. DO refer to people in they way that they prefer. DON’T assume what anyone’s sexual orientation or gender is. DON’T assume anyone’s sexual orientation or gender means they want to talk about it.

  9. TRANSITIONING YOUR SERVICES

  10. A Welcoming Staff Goal: Create a safe environment for all clients and staff with: • Diversity training for all staff, board members, and officers; • Continual development of cultural competency skills, including in LGBT organizations; • Staff who are familiar with your state’s specific laws concerning intimate partner violence; and • Strategies on best practices in advocacy for your state.

  11. A Welcoming Physical Space Goal: Create a safe environment for all clients and staff with: Signs, stickers, or posters which demonstrate your office as an inclusive, safe space for LGBTQ clients; Relationships with your local LGBTQ domestic/intimate partner violence victim advocacy group; and Gender neutral bathrooms, especially individual bathrooms, which provide a private space for all clients and staff.

  12. Interviewing LGBTQ Clients

  13. Interviewing LGBTQ Clients Establish an atmosphere of trust between you and your client. Use gender-neutral terms until the client identifies the abuser’s gender. Don’t assume anyone’s sexual orientation, gender, or relationship status. Make it a practice to ask all clients their preferred pronoun and name. Instead of using the phrase “battered women,” use gender-neutral language like “victim” or “survivor.”

  14. Provide Support • Supportive language includes: • Let’s discuss confidentiality up front. • It is great that you are here. • No one ever deserves to be abused or hurt. • Know that you are not alone. • I am hear to listen, not to pass judgments. • I think you’re reactions/feelings are totally normal/valid. • It sounds like you have been put in a tough situation.

  15. Avoiding Assumptions • What is your current relationship status? • What is the abuser’s gender? Is there anyone else involved? • What are your living arrangements? What terms do you prefer to use? • What information is OK to share, if you’ve been granted consent to talk about your client’s case? • Do you have a support system? • Do you have access to healthcare? • Do you work with any other service providers?

  16. Identify and understand your group’s role as part of the bigger picture. Seek expert consultation. Seek supervisory support/clinical exploration/ personal support. Seek secondary trauma training. If you’re not comfortable or the best resource, be aware of your own limits and your responsibility as a service provider seek assistance. Other Considerations

  17. Example Client Intake

  18. Resources Advocates for Informed Choice:http://www.iiclaw.org/ The American Bar Association:http://www.abanet.org/domviol/ Lambda Legal:http://www.lambdalegal.org/ The National Center for Lesbian Rights:http://www.nclrights.org The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects:http://www.ncavp.org

  19. Resources (cont.) • The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:http://www.thetaskforce.org • The National Lesbian and Gay Law Association:http://www.nlgla.org. • Our Bodies, Ourselves: http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/ • Sylvia Rivera Law Project: http://www.srlp.org/

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