Domestic Violence and the LGBT Community

Most of us assume domestic violence is physical abuse, like hitting or pushing, but there are other acts of domestic violence, such as emotional and verbal abuse, intimidation and threats. If you are pressured or coerced against your will, physically, mentally, or sexually by your partner, you are a victim of domestic violence. If you engage in these behaviors to “control” your partner, you are engaging in domestic violence.

Recent studies indicate that same-sex partners experience domestic violence at about the same rates as heterosexual couples. It’s even possible that the actual numbers are higher for same-sex victims, because many incidents go unreported to authorities.

If you are a victim of domestic violence—don’t let your partner control or mistreat you. You can take steps to protect yourself against further abuse. Help is available:

• In an emergency situation, call 911.
• If it is not an emergency, call for police assistance or go to a police station to file a report of an incident. Even if laws do not exist to protect GLBT victims in your area, certain incidents of domestic violence can be successfully reported and prosecuted.
• For information about services in your area, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-779-SAFE (TTY 1-800-787-3224).
• Talk about your concerns with someone you trust – a friend, relative, or a health care practitioner. There are people out there who can help you.

If you are a victimizer—you don’t have to abuse your partner or lose control. There are other ways to deal with your feelings. Remember—all you have to do is make a decision to stop abusing your partner and you can get help from many sources.

• For information about services in your area to help abusers stop abusive behaviors, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-779-SAFE (TTY 1-800-787-3224).
• Talk about your concerns with someone you trust—a friend, relative, or a health care practitioner. There are people out there who can help you.

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