LGBTQ Crime Victims Neglected by Nation’s Victim Support System, Says Landmark Report

Washington, DC–The National Center for Victims of Crime and the

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs today released Why It

Matters: Rethinking Victim Assistance for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,

Transgender, and Queer Victims of Hate Violence and Intimate Partner

Violence. This groundbreaking report, the product of a 2009 survey of

victim assistance providers and LGBTQ anti-violence programs throughout

the nation, describes widespread gaps in victim services for LGBTQ

victims of crime and recommends steps to improve the services and their

accessibility.

The Why It Matters survey found that LGBTQ victims do not have

consistent access to culturally competent services to prevent or help

victims recover from violence. Most respondent organizations lack

outreach to LGBTQ victims, LGBTQ cultural competence training for staff,

LGBTQ-specific victim services polices and practices, and collaboration

with LGBTQ providers. Too often, mainstream victim assistance agencies

do not provide a culturally sensitive response to these victims, and

LGBTQ-specific anti-violence programs either lack resources to meet the

need or simply do not exist. As a result, LGBTQ victims suffer

disproportionately from violence and its aftereffects.

“This first-of-its-kind report reveals major deficiencies in our

nation’s response to LGBTQ victims of crime,” said Jeff Dion, acting

executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime. “We hope

our collaboration with NCAVP will begin a long-overdue process of

addressing the serious problems this report describes.”

Solving these problems, the report argues, requires eliminating the

obstacles that prevent LGBTQ victims from reporting crimes and accessing

victim services. Law enforcement agencies often underestimate the levels

of violence against these victims, and the victims–fearing

discrimination and further consequences–often hesitate to report

intimate partner or hate-crime violence, or to seek victim services.

The report recommends increased support for LGBTQ-focused training,

education for service providers and first responders, as well as further

study to determine the specific needs of LGBTQ victims and the

prevalence of crimes against them. It also recommends increased

collaboration among LGBTQ anti-violence programs and mainstream victim

assistance providers, changes to ensure equal access to state and

federal protections for LGBTQ crime victims, outreach to increase public

awareness of the extent and impact of the victimization of this

community, and increased state and federal funding for these efforts.

“Why It Matters offers a roadmap for a journey our nation must take to

address the serious gaps in services for LGBTQ victims of violence,”

said Sharon Stapel, executive director of the NYC Anti-Violence Project,

coordinator of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. “At a

time when the severity of hate-violence against LGBTQ people is

increasing, when new federal legislation demands closer attention to

hate crimes and the gaps in services are widening as programs lose

funding, this report offers significant solutions to meet the urgent

need for better victim services for LGBTQ communities.”

To download the full report (Why It Matters: Rethinking Victim

Assistance for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Victims of

Hate Violence and Intimate Partner Violence ), visit www.ncvc.org or

www.avp.org

Fourth Annual Transforming Gender: Transgender Symposium

The Fourth Annual Transgender Symposium will take place on March 5 and 6, 2010.  For a full schedule of events, go to www.colorado.edu/glbtrc.  All Symposium events are free and open to the public.

The Transgender Symposium will offer an array of talks, performances, art, film, and a workshops to increase visibility and education about transgender identities and experiences, and to bring together the local transgender and ally communities.

The 2010 Transforming Gender: Transgender Symposium is being co-sponsored by CU’s GLBT Resource Center,  Women’s Resource Center, the Office of Victim’s Assistance, Jewish Affairs, the Center for Multicultural Affairs and the Open Door Fund, a permanent endowment of the Community Foundation serving the LGBTQ communities of Boulder County.

For more information, contact Kevin Correa, Assistant Director, GLBT Resource Center, 303-492-7218.

“Diagnosing Difference” at Eaton Humanities 150 on Feb. 24 at 5

How does it feel to have your gender identity included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders? Diagnosing Difference is a full-length length documentary featuring interviews with 13 diverse scholars, activists, and artists who identify on the trans spectrum (transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, and gender variant) about the impact and implications of the Gender Identity Disorder (GID) on their lives and communities.

Dr. Annalise Ophelian is a San Francisco-based human sexuality consultant and trans ally who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology. She interned for two years at New Leaf: Services for Our Community, one of the nation’s leading LGBT community mental health clinics, where she specialized in working with individuals and couples on issues of gender identity, alternative sexualities, and trauma recovery.

www.gidthemovie.com

The screening will take place at Eaton Humanities 150 on Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 5 – 7:30.  Join the Filmmaker, Dr. Annalise Ophelian, for an introduction, film viewing and Q&A session.

Sponsored by: the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Resource Center, Bent Lens Cinema, Psychological Health & Psychiatry at Wardenburg, Counseling & Psychological Services, and Faculty & Staff Assistance Program

Discussion About the Gay Marriage Debate

On Monday, Jan. 25, 2010 there was a debate on Gay Marriage at Chem 140.  Events like these in which people’s personal identities, experiences, and rights are debated can have negative impacts on our community.  Therefore, the GLBT Resource Center and the Office of Victim Assistance is organizing a gathering to provide a space and opportunity for those who would like to debrief the debate in a group format.  The gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 3:30 pm in the GLBT Resource Center, 227 WIllard.  All are welcome.

Earthquake in Haiti

The Office of Victim Assistance (OVA), The Center for Multicultural Affairs (CMA), Psychological Health and Psychiatry (PHP), and Faculty Staff
Assistance Program (FSAP) will be offering three professionally facilitated “Haitian Earthquake After Shock Discussions” this week.
These discussions will be a time for any students, staff and or faculty to create a community to talk about the earthquake, receive support, learn
skills to prevent and decrease any secondary impact and learn about resources.  For questions please reference OVA, 303-492-8855 and
http://cuvictimassistance.com.
-OVA will offer a session Wednesday January 20 at 12pm in Willard 231.
-FSAP will offer a session on Thursday January 21 at 10am on East Campus,
ARC 3100 Marine St. room 354.
-CMA and PHP will offer one on Friday January 22 at 9am in CMA, Willard 118.

As the true extent of the destruction and loss of life in Haiti is revealed, our hearts go out particularly to the people at CU who have friends or family members in Haiti.  For those trying to get news of their loved ones back home, the State Department has established a hotline, 1-800-407-4747.

The Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Victim Assistance are sending an E-Memo to CU community members informing those who may be impacted of campus resources.  These include the Office of Victim Assistance at 303-492-8855, Counseling and Psychological Services at 303-492-6766, and Psychological Health and Psychiatry in Wardenburg at 303-492-5654.

Transito “Tito” Torres

The Office of Victim Assistance extends its sympathy and thoughts to the family and friends of Transito “Tito” Torres, who died on December 3, 2009. Tito was a senior majoring in Women and Gender Studies, and had connections to many individuals and programs at CU and in the community. If you would like support in dealing with this tragic loss, feel free to call the Office of Victims Assistance at 303-492-8855 or Counseling and Psychological Services at 303-492-6766. Both numbers have counselor coverage 24 hours a day.

A memorial honoring his life will be held at theUniversity Memorial Center at 12:30pm, Thursday.  The event will begin with a processional, which will leave the GLBT Resource Center, Willard Hall 227, at noon. The group will then proceed to the Environmental Design Building, the Women and Gender Studies Cottage and end at the East Ballroom, where the memorial service will commence. Those who wish to join the procession should plan
to gather at any of these stopping points around noon. Please dress for the cold weather.

Myths and Facts About Hazing from StopHazing.org

Myth #1: Hazing is a problem for fraternities and sororities primarily. Fact: Hazing is a societal problem. Hazing incidents have been frequently documented in the military, athletic teams, marching bands, religious cults, professional schools and other types of clubs and/or, organizations. Reports of hazing activities in high schools are on the rise. Myth #2: Hazing is no more than foolish pranks that sometimes go awry. Fact: Hazing is an act of power and control over others — it is victimization. Hazing is pre-meditated and NOT accidental. Hazing is abusive, degrading and often life-threatening. Myth #3: As long as there’s no malicious intent, a little hazing should be O.K. Fact: Even if there’s no malicious “intent” safety may still be a factor in traditional hazing activities that are considered to be “all in good fun.” For example, serious accidents have occurred during scavenger hunts and kidnapping trips. Besides, what purpose do such activities serve in promoting the growth and development of group team members? Myth #4: Hazing is an effective way to teach respect and develop discipline. Fact: First of all, respect must be EARNED–not taught. Victims of hazing rarely report  having respect for those who have hazed them. Just like other forms of victimization, hazing breeds mistrust, apathy and alienation. Myth #5: If someone agrees to participate in an activity, it can’t be considered hazing. Fact: In states that have laws against hazing consent of the victim can’t be used as a defense in a civil suit. This is because even if someone agrees to participate in a potentially hazardous action it may not be true consent when considering the peer pressure and desire to belong to the group. Myth #6: It’s difficult to determine whether or not a certain activity is hazing–it’s such a gray area sometimes. Fact: It’s not difficult to decide if an activity is hazing if you use common sense and ask yourself the following questions: Make the following inquiries of each activity to determine whether or not it is hazing. 1) Is alcohol involved? 2) Will active/current members of the group refuse to participate with the new members and do exactly what they’re being asked to do? 3) Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse? 4) Is there risk of injury or a question of safety? 5) Do you have any reservation describing the activity to your parents, to a professor or University official? 6) Would you object to the activity being photographed for the school newspaper or filmed by the local TV news crew? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” the activity is probably hazing. Adapted from Death By Hazing Sigma Alpha Epsilon. 1988. Will Keim has a similar approach to making decisions about hazing: “1. If you have to ask if it’s hazing, it is. 2. If in doubt, call your advisor/coach/national office. If you won’t pick up the phone, you have your answer. Don’t B.S. yourself.’ 3. If you haze, you have low self-esteem. 4. If you allow hazing to occur, you are a ‘hazing enabler.’ 5. Failure to stop hazing will result in death…” Will Keim, Ph.D., “The Power of Caring”

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Research on Bias-Motivated Incidents Against the LGBT Community

Hate Violence against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People in the United States

(National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 2009)

This is a report about bias-motivated incidents targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender, queer, and questioning (LGBT) individuals in the U.S. during the year 2008. It is a product of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), a net-work of over 35 anti-violence organizations that monitor, respond to, and work to end hate and domestic violence, HIV-related violence, pick-up crimes, rape, sexual assault, and other forms of violence affecting LGBT communities. This year, we have also included an extraordinarily important contribution by Just Detention Inter-national (JDI), which ensures government accountability for prisoner rape, trans-forms ill-informed public attitudes about sexual violence in detention and promotes access to resources for those who have survived this form of abuse. NCAVP mem-ber organizations stand in solidarity with JDI in advocating for prisoners‘ rights.

http://www.avp.org/documents/2008HVReportDraft3smallerfile.pdf