CDC released the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation in January 2013. Among the findings on data regarding respondents’ sexual orientation:
- Nearly half of female bisexual victims (48.2%) and more than one-quarter of female heterosexual victims (28.3%) experienced their first rape between the ages of 11 and 17 years.
- Bisexual women (61.1%) reported a significantly higher lifetime prevalence of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner when compared to both lesbian (43.8%) and heterosexual women (35.0%).
- Lesbians and gay men reported levels interpersonal violence and sexual violence equal to or higher than those of heterosexuals.
- You can read more – including the full report, fact sheet, and an FAQ – on the CDC website.
LGBTQ Committee
The main focus of WCASA’s work with the LGBTQ community is via the LGBTQ Statewide Committee co-chaired by End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. Staff from End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, and WCASA, along with interested individuals from communities and organizations throughout the state, come together in an effort to give voice to people who are marginalized based on gender identity, sexual identity, and/or sexual orientation and whose lives have been affected by sexual and/or domestic violence.
We are always interested in new members joining our group from throughout the state. Our membership includes community members, program staff, and people interested in addressing the issues of sexual and domestic violence for the LGBTQ community. The Committee is working in four focus areas, including: Communications; Resources; Technical Assistance; and Training. Please see the flyer for more information. We invite you to join us as professionals and individuals who are working to ensure that there are quality services for LGBTQ survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
If you are interested in hosting and LGBTQ training on sexual assault and intimate partner violence, please contact Angie Rehling, Prevention Coordinator, for more information.
There is also a statewide listserv for people who are concerned with sexual assault and domestic violence in Wisconsin’s LGBTQ communities. If you would like to sign up for the listserv contact Angie Rehling.
LGBTQ+ Community Centers, Organizations, Groups Around the State
OutReach (Madison)
GSAFE (statewide)
The Center (La Crosse)
Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
Diverse & Resilient (statewide)
Chippewa Valley LGBTQ Community Center
Orgullo Latinx LGBT+ (Dane County)
Teens Like Us (Briarpatch Youth Services, Madison)
Proud Theater (Chapters in Madison, beyond Madison, Green Bay, Wausau)
LGBT Partnership of Goodwill NCW
Fair Wisconsin (statewide) - "Fair Wisconsin Inc. works to build a fair, safe, and inclusive Wisconsin for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people by advancing, achieving, and protecting LGBT civil rights through lobbying, legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, coalition building and electoral involvement."
FORGE - For Ourselves Reworking Gender Expression (nationwide, based in Wisconsin): Founded in Milwaukee in 1994, FORGE provides peer support primarily to those on the female-to-male (FTM) gender spectrum and local Significant Others, Friends, Family, and Allies (SOFFAs).
- What You Should Know About Violence and Harassment Against LGBT Individuals
- A Guide for Facilitators of Transgender Community Groups: Supporting Sexual Violence Survivors
- Let’s Talk About It! A Transgender Survivor’s Guide to Accessing Therapy
- Gender-Integrated Shelters: Experience and Advice
- Healing From Trauma (compiled)
LGBTQ en Español
The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging recently announced that they now offer several articles and publications in Spanish, with more to be added in the coming months.
Creating an Inclusive Environment for LGBTQ+ People
From Policy to Practice: Nondiscrimination and Inclusion of LGBTQ Individuals in Victim Services Programs (NCAVP National Advocacy for Local LGBT Communities)
Culturally Competent Service Provision to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Survivors of Sexual Violence (VAWNet.org)
Dane County LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Profile: Research and Recommendations (Public Health Madison and Dane County)
LGBTQ Inclusive Services Readiness Checklist: A Self-Assessment for Area Agencies on Aging (National Resource Center on LGBT Aging)
Is Your Agency Ready to Serve Transgender and Non-Binary Clients? Self Assessment Tool (FORGE)
Teen Resources
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: resources related to child sexual abuse as well as LGBTQ teens: Safe Spaces, Safe Places video
Love is Respect (& Break the Cycle) engages, educates and empowers youth and young adults to prevent and end abusive relationships. Many topics, including: if you’re being abused, if you're abusive, helping friends/strangers/your child, relationships, forums, safety planning, legal rights, technology safety and more. Toolkits, presentations, campaign ideas, PSA’s, statistics.
Love is Respect LGBTQ Relationships features LGBTQ relationships, identifying if they are healthy or abusive and unique obstacles for LGBTQ teens;
LGBTQ Immigrants (ayuda.com - provides legal, social and language services to aid immigrants access justice and transform their lives)
GLAAD's Amplify Your Voice Resource Kit features tips and information for educators, parents and LGBT youth on bullying.
Scarleteen - Sex ed for the real world
Advocates for Youth for professional and youth activists
Safe Places, Safe Spaces: Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Environments for Traumatized LGBTQ Youth Video (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
General Resources
Rm2BSafe: A Wisconsin initiative to educate about creating safe relationships for the LGBT community
National Coalition of Anti Violence Programs (NCAVP): Report: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Intimate Partner Violence in 2017
The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging offers several articles and publications in Spanish
UN Human Rights Council LGBT page
- “Born Free and Equal”: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in International Human Rights Law (2012) | Discriminatory Laws and Practices and Acts of Violence Against Individuals Based on Their Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (2011)
GLAAD - "As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.
PFLAG - "PFLAG has been saving lives, strengthening families, changing hearts, minds and laws since 1972. Our family and ally voice is integral to advancing equality."
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund - "Lambda Legal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work."
BiNet USA - "As America’s oldest advocacy organization for bisexual, pansexual, fluid, queer-identified and unlabeled people, BiNet USA facilitates the development of a cohesive network of independent bisexual and bi-friendly communities; promotes bisexual and bi-inclusive visibility; and collects and distributes educational information regarding sexual orientation and gender identity with an emphasis on bisexual, pansexual, fluid, queer (bi+) communities."
GLSEN- "Our mission is to create safe and affirming schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression."
Network la Red: “Open Minds Open Doors: Transforming Domestic Violence Programs to Include LGBTQ Survivors“ (a manual tailored to the needs of domestic violence providers, but applicable to SA provision as well.
Virginia Anti-Violence Project
LGBTQ College Student Resource Guide (affordablecollegesonline.org)
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Consent - Learn - Aces & Aros (acesandaros.org)
Social norms around sexuality and relationships - Learn - Aces & Aros (acesandaros.org)
Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Resources
General Resources
School Experiences of Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students in Wisconsin
FORGE (For Ourselves: Reworking Gender Expression) is a national education, advocacy, and support umbrella organization supporting the transgender community
- Quick Tips for Caregivers Of Transgender Clients | 101 Things You Can Do - We are all responsible… | Transgender 101: Serving Gender Variant Crime Victims (webinar) | Information sheet series, including: Who Are Trans People?, Know and Tell Why & Terms Paradox
- Transgender Youth in Schools (infographic) - presented by GLSEN, The Movement Advacement Project (MAP) and the National Center for Transgender Equality
National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)
- Student's "Know Your Rights" Guide | Model District Policy for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students
Anti-Violence Against Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People
Office for Victims of Crime offers a guide entitled Responding to Transgender Victims of Sexual Assault that educates those who respond to transgender sexual assault victims.
National Resource Center on LGBT Aging
- Inclusive Services for LGBTQ Older Adults (A Practice Guide for creating Welcoming Agencies) | I Have a Transgender Client… Now What? (FORGE Transgender Aging Network) this Q&A can help service providers to give the best possible care to transgender elders. | Age-Friendly Inclusive Services Guide for LGBTQ organizations: (LGBT Aging Center) provides tools and strategies to ensure that LGBT older adults feel more included and safe in LGBT organizations | Inclusive Questions for Older Adults: A Practical Guide to Collecting Data on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: (This guide will assist in your organization's path to asking fully inclusive questions to all of your clients.)
Interactions of Latina Transgender Women with Law Enforcement: policy brief by Bienestar Human Services and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science)