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Hotline Services: Answering the Call 24/7

9/11/2020

Survivors dealing with intimate partner violence face a multitude of barriers when trying to end the relationship and find safety or support. The offender in the relationship often holds a great deal of power and control over the victim and thus limits freedoms and increases isolation from the outside world.

If you have never called a crisis support line, it can seem a little intimidating. Speaking with a stranger about your most intimate and personal issues can be unsettling and make a person feel very vulnerable. However, we want to use this post to give you (or someone you care about) a better understanding of what to expect and hopefully alleviate some fears about reaching out for support.

What Will Happen When I Call?

You will be greeted by an experienced hotline advocate who is specifically trained in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care.
Your safety is our priority. We understand the risks you may be taking just to make this initial call, and we want to keep you as safe as possible. We can work together to devise a safety plan.
Are you looking for safe housing and immediate services or gathering information to know your options? We will provide you with information and referrals for whatever services are you say you want. You are the leader in making decisions!
There is no judgement! Deciding to end a relationship can be very complicated. We will never tell you what you “have to” or “should” do. It is our role to give you information so you can make an informed decision for yourself.
You have the option to remain anonymous*. It is not required that you provide us with your name or any other identifying information.
We will always listen and support you - whether you are calling about current or past trauma, we are here to listen.
You do not have to be a direct victim to call us. Concerned family and friends are more than welcome to call for guidance or learn how to be support a loved one.

*Limitations for anonymity arise only as they relate to mandated reporting laws.*

It is estimated that it may take at least seven attempts for a person to leave an abusive relationship. Reaching out to our crisis support line can be the first step to creating a plan to live a life free of violence.

For some, they may prefer to speak with an advocate via text, for others, it may not be safe to make a phone call. Accessibility is about choices - and survivors who are managing their safety need choices. That is why we have three options to reach crisis support staff.

24/7 Hotline: 301.759.9244 Text: 301.970.4242 Webchat: rc.chat/fcrc

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Gender and Sexual Orientation Based Violence

8/13/2020

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Part Two: Addressing Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence

For part two of our LGBTQIA series, we will be discussing sexual assault and sexual violence in the LGBTQIA community. Sexual violence happens in every demographic and within every community. The rates of sexual violence within the LGBTQIA community are at similar, if not higher rates (Human Rights Campaign HRC, 2020). One study completed by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects (NCAVP), suggests that one in ten LGBTQIA survivors has experienced a sexual assault from their partners. When looking specifically at transgender people and bisexual women, about 50% will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime (HRC, 2020).
As with intimate partner violence, LGBTQIA victims/survivors often face stigma, barriers, marginalization, and violence motivated by homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia. Sometimes a sexual assault is used as a form of hate-motivated violence (HRC, 2020). Additionally, society places stereotypes on the LGBTQIA community, such as “this community is hypersexualized”, “they are deviant”, or “their relationships are not serious and won’t last”. Stereotypes, stigma, and discrimination often keep victims/survivors silent and can create an environment of victim blaming or shame surrounding the sexual violence.

THE STATS
Some quick facts from the National Coalition against Domestic Violence (NCADV) and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV):

43.8% of lesbian women and 61.1% of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime, compared to 35% of heterosexual women.
26% of gay men and 37.3% of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime, compared to 29% of heterosexual men.
Transgender victims are more likely to experience intimate partner violence in public, compared to those who do not identify as transgender.
LGBTQIA Black/African American victims are more likely to experience physical intimate partner violence, compared to those who do not identify as Black/African American.
45% of victims do not report the violence experienced because they believe reporting will not help them.

A few other facts from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey:

48% of bisexual women who are rape survivors experienced their first rape between the ages of 11-17.
40% of gay men have experienced sexual violence other than rape, compared to 21% of heterosexual men.

SUPPORT
What can you do if someone you know has been sexually assaulted?

Believe them. If they are coming to you with this information, it means that they are trusting you to believe and support them.
Let them know that it was not their fault.
Let them know that what they tell you is confidential (unless it is a mandatory reporting situation, and if so, let them know your limitations on confidentiality).
Don’t pressure them to give you details. What they have experienced is incredibly traumatic and by pressuring them to give you details can be retraumatizing. You are not law enforcement and it’s not your job to investigate.
Contact us! We can provide you with resources and information on how to support the person.

What can you do if you have been sexually assaulted?

What happened to you is not your fault. Nothing you did provoked sexual violence.
Reach out to someone you trust for support. Having someone in your corner to support you can be beneficial.
Regardless of what anyone you should do; you have the choice and the power to make the decision if you want to report or not.
You do not have to have a police report to have a SAFE exam completed.
If you would like support, you can always contact us. We can help you with counseling, resources, and advocacy. You can also contact our 24/7 hotline for confidential support, and you can remain anonymous if you would like.

You are not alone. We are here for you.

Some additional resources:
LGBT National Help Center
National Hotline (1-888-843-4564) or National Youth Talkline (1-800-246-7743)
https://www.glbthotline.org/
Forge (Serves Transgender and gender non-conforming survivors of domestic and sexual violence)
https://forge-forward.org/
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Reference Links:
http://www.mmgconnect.com/projects/userfiles/File/DCE-STOP_NOW/NCADV_LGBT_Fact_Sheet.pdf
https://ncadv.org/blog/posts/domestic-violence-and-the-lgbtq-community
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/566c7f0c2399a3bdabb57553/t/566c9be29cadb6bf7efc8e1e/1449958370563/It-Takes-A-Village-People-Web-Version.pdf

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Hotline Services: Answering the Call 24/7

Gender and Sexual Orientation Based Violence

Part Two: Addressing Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence

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