Rob Bonta Engages with Advocates to Confront Intimate Partner Violence
California Attorney General Rob Bonta held a roundtable discussion at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, focusing on serving survivors of intimate partner violence within the LGBTQ+ community. This meeting, held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and LGBTQ+ History Month, underscored the pressing issue of domestic and intimate partner violence among LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly impacting trans and bisexual women and BIPOC individuals.
The LGBTQ+ community faces increasing risks due to growing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and attacks, further jeopardizing the safety of survivors.
Dr. Sarai Crane, an advocate for intimate partner violence survivors and the first-ever sexual assault evidence outreach coordinator for the California Attorney General’s Office emphasized the need to address these issues as universal concerns that affect people from all backgrounds. An intersectional approach was advocated to counter anti-LGBTQ+ bias and promote solutions for intimate partner violence and LGBTQ+ rights.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Family Violence and Prevention Services Act (FVPSA), and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) are essential funding sources for DV/SA support services. This year, VOCA faces a 40% budget cut, endangering critical services for marginalized LGBTQ+ survivors. The Los Angeles LGBT Center, in collaboration with the National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence, strives to provide culturally responsive support services for LGBTQ+ survivors and raise awareness of the unique challenges they face.
Statistics show that transgender people, particularly BIPOC individuals, are at a higher risk of experiencing intimate partner violence. A significant percentage of LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness cite family rejection and abuse as contributing factors. Hospitals, mental health professionals, social service providers, and law enforcement often fail to provide LGBTQ+ survivors with the same level of protection and support as cisgender and heterosexual survivors, making it more challenging for them to escape abusive situations.
Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the preventable nature of violence and pledged to support survivors of domestic violence. As allies, it is crucial to listen, support, and provide resources to survivors, respecting their autonomy and choices.
This Domestic Violence Awareness Month and beyond, the National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence continues to stand with survivors and service providers to enhance intervention and prevention services, research, and policy initiatives.
To create a safer community, it is essential to break the silence on domestic violence and support survivors. Learn more about helping LGBTQ+ survivors of intimate partner violence at lgbtqipvinstitute.org.
