For a second year in a row, the report shows highest homicide rate ever recorded.
-Reports of LGBTQ and HIV-affected intimate partner violence (IPV) increased slightly in 2013.
-For a second year in a row there were 21 IPV homicides of LGBTQ and HIV-affected people documented; the highest total recorded
-In 2013, 76 % of IPV homicide victims were gay men
-Gay men, LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities of color, LGBTQ and HIV-affected youth and young adults, bisexual survivors, and transgender communities most impacted by IPV
-LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of violence rarely go to the police, the courts or domestic violence shelters for support
NATIONAL Today the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) released its report Intimate Partner Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer ( LGBTQ ), and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2013.
For this reportthe most comprehensive of its kind-NCAVP collected data concerning IPV within LGBTQ and HIVaffected relationships from 18 anti-violence programs in 17 states across the country, including California, Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Arizona, Rhode Island, Georgia, Vermont, Florida, and Connecticut.
General Findings
In 2013, NCAVP programs received 2,697 reports of intimate partner violence ( IPV ), a slight increase of .67% from the 2,679 reports received in 2012, even with one fewer coalition member reporting.
"As we see the full implementation of an LGBTQ - inclusive Violence Against Women Act, and as awareness about LGBTQ intimate partner violence increases, we believe that we will begin to see a rise in incidents of IPV being reported to NCAVP and its member organizations," said Osman Ahmed from the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "This report calls on policymakers to ensure that the federal government collects information on sexual orientation and gender identity, whenever demographic data is requested in studies, surveys, and research, including intimate partner violence, so we are prepared and able to support all survivors."
Homicide Rates
NCAVP documented 21 IPV homicides in 2013, the highest recorded level , equal to the 21 homicides in 2012 . This is up from 19 IPV homicides in 2011 and more than three times the 6 documented homicides in 2010. For a third year in a row, gay men were disproportionately affected by IPV homicide. In 2013 , 76% of all reported IPV homicide victims were gay men , which is up significantly from 48% in 2012 .
"We are deeply concerned about the continued record high number of intimate partner violence homicides that occurred this year, which is part of a three - year trend in high homicide rates affecting our communities, " said Justin Shaw, Exe cutive director of Kansas City Anti - Violence Project . " The truly alarming number of gay men killed due to intimate partner violence indicates a need to expand the national discourse around intimate partner violence, to ensure that it includes gay men, bisexual people, transgender, and gender non - conforming people . This is a crisis that affects everyone."
Most Impacted Identities
People of Color Survivors For the third year in a row, LGBTQ and HIV - affected people of color made up the majority ( 50.2% ) of intimate partner violence survivors. Additionally, the 2013 report found that LGBTQ and HIV - affected people of color were more likely to report experiencing physical violence, discrimination, threats or intimidation, and harassment as a result of IPV. LGBTQ and HIV - affected people of color were also more likely to experience IPV incidents in public spaces. "People of color make up the majority of LGBTQ survivors and are disproportionately impacted by domestic violence within relationships. This is a national wakeup call," said Mary Case from the Los Angeles LGBT Center "There is an obvious need to support programs and services that are focused on this group of intimate partner violence survivors people of color who identify as LGBTQ and/or are affecte d by HIV."
LGBTQ Youth and Young Adult Survivors The majority, 36.8%, of survivors of IPV that reported to NCAVP in 2013 were between the ages of 19 and 29 . The report's person level data found that young adult survivors ( ages19 - 29 ) were more likely to experience physical violence and sexual violence within IPV relationships, and more likely to experience injury and require medical attention as a result of IPV.
"These alarming statistics show that it is imperative that policymakers and funders support early intervention and prevention programs for youth to prevent and reduce IPV in LGBTQ and HIV - affected communities," said Lynne Sprague from Colorado Anti - Violence Program.
Gay Survivors
In the 2013 report, 42.8% of total survivors identified as gay. This is similar to 2012 when 41.7% of those reporting identified as gay.
Bisexual Survivors
The 2013 report found that bisexual survivors were 1.6 times more likely to experience sexual violence , 2.2 times more likely to experience physical violence, and 2.6 times more likely to be injured as a result of IPV . NCAVP's 2013 data reinforces the findings of the National Intimate Partner Violence Survey ( NISVS ), a prevalence study on intimate partner violence in LGB communities published by the Center for Disease Control in 2010.
The NISVS report reveals that 61% of bisexual women and 37% of bisexual men experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking in their lifetimes within IPV.
Transgender Survivors
The 20 1 3 report found that t ransgender survivors were 1.9 times more likely to face physical violence , 3.9 times more likely to face discrimination due to IPV, and 1.5 times more likely to experience IPV in public spaces.
"Transgender people face increased risk of violence because of discrimination based on their gender identity and transphobia within intimate partnerships," said M.E. Quinn from The Network/ La Red . "To really address the needs of transgender survivors, we need to address transphobic laws, policies , and institutions while also providing supportive programs that address transgender people explicitly and that engage transgender survivors in preventing this violence."
Undocumented Survivors
The 2013 report showed that LGBTQ and HIV - affected undocumented survivors were 2.9 times more likely to experience discrimination within IPV relationships. "Undocumented survivors are at a particular risk for IPV because abusive partners can threaten and place their immigration status at risk, and survivors may be reluctant to seek support for fear of revealing their immigration status to law enforcement and immigration authorities," said Norio Umezu from community United Against Violence . "Now is the time for policymakers to enact compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform to reduce barriers for LGBTQ and HIV - affected immigrant survivors of IPV."
Service Provision
NCAVP's 2013 report found , similar to last year, that very few LGBTQ and HIV - affected survivors accessed vital first responder services including police, domestic violence shelter, and orders of protection when experiencing intimate partner violence . In 2013, only 17.0% of total survivors reported to NC AVP that they applied for orders of protection, which reflects a large increase from 2012 ( 4.9% ), but remains a very low number.
Recommendations
The report includes specific policy recommendations, including the following key recommendations related to the findings highlighted above.
There are further recommendations published in the full report.
-Policymakers and funders should fund LGBTQ and HIV - affected specific intimate partner violence prevention initiatives.
-Policymakers and funders should support early intervention and prevention programs for youth to prevent and reduce IPV in LGBTQ and HIV - affected communities.
-The Office on Violence Against Women ( OVW ) should continue to swiftly implement the LGBTQ - inclusive Violence Against Women Act ( VAWA ) to improve access to services for LGBTQ and HIV - affected survivors of intimate partner violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
-Policymakers should enact compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform to reduce barriers for LGBTQ and HIV - affected immigrant survivors of IPV.
-Policymakers should ensure that the federal government collects information on sexual orientation and gender identity, whenever demographic data is requested in studies, surveys, and research, including IPV. NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer ( LGBTQ ), and HIV-affected communities.
NCAVP is a national coalition of 53 local member programs and affiliate organizations in 25 states, Ca nada, and Washington DC, who create systemic and social change. We strive to increase power, safety, and resources through data analysis, policy advocacy, education, and technical assistance. NCAVP is coordinated by the Ne w York City Anti - Violence Project.
Contributors and Regional Media Contacts
BRAVO, Buckeye Region Anti - Violence Organization ( Columbus, OH ) Contact : Gloria McCauley, ( 614 ) 294-7867 gloria@bravo-ohio.org
Colorado Anti-Violence Program ( Denver, CO ) Contact: Lynne Sprague, ( 303 ) 839-5204 X2 lynne@coavp.org
Center on Halsted Anti-Violence Project ( Chicago, IL ) Contact: Jane Merrill, ( 773 )472-6469 x412 jmerrill@centeronhalsted.org
Community United Against Violence ( San Francisco, CA ) Contact: Norio Umezu, ( 510 ) 305-5917 norio@cuav.org
Equality Michigan ( Detroit, MI ) Contact:Yvonne Siferd, ( 313 ) 537-7000 x112 yvonne@equalitymi.org
Fenway Community Health Violence Recovery Program( Boston, MA ) Contact: Chris Viveiros, ( 617 ) 927-6342 CViveiros@fenwayhealth.org
Kansas City Anti-Violence Project ( Kansas City, MO ). Contact: Justin Shaw , ( 816 ) 561-0550 x200 justin @kcavp.org
L.A. LGBT Center Anti - Violence Project ( Los Angeles, CA ) Contact: Mary Case or Mieko Failey, ( 323 ) 993 - 7504 or ( 323 ) 860-3724 mcase@lalgbtcenter.org or mfailey@lalgbtcenter.org
Montrose Counseling Center ( Houston, TX ) Contact: Sally Huffer, ( 713 ) 529-0037 x324 mcc2@montrosecounselingcenter.org
New York City Anti-Violence Project ( New York, NY ) Contact: Sue Yacka , ( 212 ) 714 - 1184 syacka@avp.org
OutFront Minnesota ( Minneapolis, MN ). Contact: Rebecca Waggoner, ( 612 ) 384-1355 rwaggoner@OutFront.org
SafeSpace Program @ Pride Center of Vermont ( form erly RU12? Community Center ) ( Winooski, VT )
Contact : Kim Fountain , ( 802 ) 860 - 7812 kim@pridecentervt.org
Sojourner House ( Providence, RI ) Contact: Erin G. Gorman , ( 401 ) 765-3232 or ( 401 )861-6191 egorman@sojournerri.org
The Network/La Red ( Boston, MA ) Contact: M.E. Quinn, ( 617 ) 695-0877 organizer@tnlr.org
The Center for Women and Families ( Louisville, KY ). Contact: Michelle Finley michellefinley@cwfempower.org
Victim Resp onse, Inc./The Lodge ( Miami, FL ). Contact: Monica Padilla, ( 305 ) 693-1170 x232 Monicap@thelodgemiami.org
Wingspan Anti-Violence Programs ( Tucson, AZ ). Contact: Patrick Farr, ( 520 ) 547-6113 pfarr@wingspan.org
To download the full report please visit NCAVP online at www.ncavp.org .