STRATEGIES FOR THE PREVENTION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE LGBT COMMUNITY – PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WORKING WITH THE LGBT COMMUNITY (excerpted from CALCASA’s “Focusing on Pride: Sexual Assault Prevention in the LGBT Community (Part 1)”)

Accessing the LGBT community can be a challenge for some rape crisis centers with limited resources. To enhance service capacity, we have provided a list of recommendations to assist rape crisis centers in providing services to LGBT survivors in a comfortable and safe environment:

Considerations for Counselors

• When training new staff and volunteers, encourage them to examine their own comfort level when working with LGBT survivors. Have them also examine the stereotypes they may be holding.

• Remember that not all survivors label themselves as LGBT. Be cognizant of the language you use.

• Keep in mind that survivors can be either LGBT or straight. Avoid assumptions based on a person’s appearance. Use neutral words like “partner or significant other.”

• If a survivor discloses her/his identify as LGBT, use terms such as “partner, life partner, or significant other” instead of “friend,” “girl/boyfriend,” or “wife/husband.” Also have this reflected in any intake forms.

• Understand that there are cultural differences among LGBT survivors.

• Mirror words that survivors use to describe the sexual assault. They may not be familiar with words like sodomy or intimate partner violence.

• Survivors who live in rural areas or where there are fewer LGBT organizations and resources may need extra assistance in finding support.

• When referring LGBT survivors to other providers, ask if they would like LGBT specific resources, as some may not identify with the LGBT community.

• When counseling significant others, who may also be LGBT, be aware that they may have distinct needs in helping their loved ones. Because the majority of institutions do not recognize LGBT relationships, partners may have difficulty in helping survivors navigate legal systems, medical care, and other social services.

• Reassure and inform survivors that they are entitled to the same treatment from centers and other service providers like heterosexual survivors. It may be helpful to refer a survivor to a legal advocate who is familiar with state laws regarding same-sex assaults, hate crime laws, and laws regarding LGBT survivors’ legal rights.

Considerations for Rape Crisis Centers

• Foster an inclusive, supportive environment when working with survivors. (See APPENDIX D: IS YOUR CENTER LGBT AFFIRMATIVE for ways to provide a non-threatening environment.)

• Connect with the LGBT community to familiarize yourself on current issues such as domestic partnerships and LGBT persons in the military.

• Contact your local or regional LGBT agency for more information and as an opportunity to begin a collaborative relationship. (See APPENDIX E: RESOURCES for the center nearest you).

• Subscribe to LGBT magazines at your agency (i.e., The Advocate, Human Rights Quarterly) or have local LGBT newspapers available at your center. Contact the LGBT center nearest you for subscription information.

• Provide information specific to LGBT issues, such as pamphlets on coming out or same-sex sexual assault.

• Invite LGBT community speakers or survivors of sexual assault to present a workshop at your agency. Invite them as guest speakers at your sexual assault crisis training for staff and volunteers.

• Provide a table or booth at LGBT events with information on sexual assault and the services your agency provides (e.g. LGBT pride festivals). Remember to ensure that the language in the information is neutral ( “partner vs. spouse).

• Provide agency information and sexual assault information at local LGBT centers.

• Advertise your rape crisis hotline in local LGBT newspapers, LGBT center newsletters, or on the LGBT center’s website.

• Advertise the rape crisis line in your local paper or a community center with emphasis on LGBT outreach. *

• Provide a website link on an LGBT center website and vice-versa.

• Invite local law enforcement, fire department and medical personnel to trainings on LGBT issues.

• Provide information on LGBT sexual assault at your agency. If there is none available, contact your local or regional LGBT center for information or ideas on creating a pamphlet that highlights the agency’s commitment to helping LGBT survivors.

• Recruit board members, staff and volunteers who represent the LGBT community.

• Post flyers announcing your agency’s next volunteer training at LGBT centers.

• Advertise job openings where LGBT persons are likely to read them. (e.g. LGBT websites, centers, etc. )

*In rural areas, keep in mind that some LGBT people may not be comfortable coming to a rape crisis center. Your center may be perceived as the place where only rape survivors go; their presence may automatically create assumptions and/or begin rumors about them. In rural areas, many LGBT people know each other and keeping the sexual assault confidential may be a challenge. Reassure LGBT survivors that all information will be kept in strict confidence and will not be released to anybody in the community. Providing a confidential meeting space, such as your local library, church, or community center, where survivors can feel comfortable, can help them feel more at ease and more likely to access services from your agency.

  As centers enhance their current knowledge on LGBT issues and gain support from the community, they will be able to expand their existing sexual assault prevention and intervention services in the community. Initiating collaborations with the LGBT community is crucial in reaching survivors that may not be aware of the services of rape crisis centers.

  CALCASA is providing this information packet as a tool for staff and volunteers to utilize and incorporate in their daily work with survivors, as well as a supplement to your center’s existing staff and volunteer sexual assault counselor training on issues affecting the LGBT community. We also encourage you to continue researching further information on the subject and to also join us in sharing resources and updates on this subject. With your help, together we can continue our sexual assault support efforts in the LGBT community. For more information or technical assistance on the topic, please contact CALCASA at (916) 446-2520 or via e-mail at info@calcasa.org