Julie, LGBT IPV Victim Advocate

She has endured severe physical abuse by her female intimate partner, her face and body left bruised and swollen from relentless beatings. After years of abuse, she decides to seek help, but when she calls the police, they say “this is a roommate argument, why did you bother calling us?” She feels defeated. No one knows she’s a lesbian. When she talks to her friends for support, she does not identify she is in a relationship with a woman. She agonizes making a decision to reach out for help, fearing outsiders will not understand her. Who will be supportive of a lesbian woman? Are domestic violence counselors understanding of heterosexism and homophobia? Will the police be respectful of her experiences? Then, she receives information about a new program providing services to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community in Buffalo. She makes one telephone call. She receives the support she has wanted, and begins to break the isolation and empower herself to create a life free from abuse. 

This story provides a glimpse of the multiple barriers faced by LGBT victims of domestic violence which impact their ability to seek help. This story illustrates why the LGBT DV Committee of WNY was formed and a new advocate position was created.     

Since 1979, Child & Family Services Haven House has provided victims of domestic violence with safe and confidential services to address their needs. Haven House’s services include a 24-hour confidential hotline to provide support, information, referral, and/or shelter to individuals, individual counseling, support groups, client advocacy, education and training, legal consultation by volunteer lawyers, and services for children residing in shelter.

Since 2001, Child & Family Services Haven House has been collaborating with the LGBT DV Committee of WNY, comprised of volunteers who specialize in intimate partner violence work, to offer a program to address the needs of LGBT victims of domestic violence, the first of its kind in Western New York.

Currently, Haven House and the Committee are working toward developing a Safe Home Network program to provide an alternative emergency shelter option for LGBT individuals. The Safe Home program will rely on community volunteers who are willing to offer their homes as short-term emergency shelters.

The goal is to have this program remain a permanent resource for LGBT victims of domestic violence in Western New York because every individual has the right to live a life without violence.

For further information about this innovative program, please call 716.884.6002.