LGBTQ Domestic Violence Training and
Technical Assistance Project: 2006-2009
“Attempting to work on domestic violence without working on
other oppressions is like attempting to move a rug one is standing on.”
– Mary Allen, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
The LGBTQ Domestic Violence Training and Technical Assistance Project was launched in 2006 and completed in 2009. The project was funded by the California Department of Health Services Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Office of Family Planning (MCAH/OFP) and administered by The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence in partnership with Community United Against Violence (CUAV) and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center (LAGLC). The purpose of the project was to assist the 94 state-funded DV programs in increasing access to services by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) victims and survivors of domestic violence. While CUAV, LAGLC and other providers had delivered training and technical assistance on LGBTQ competency and accessibility for many years, this project represented an unprecedented opportunity to systematically provide TAT to all 94 of California’s state-funded DV programs.
Project activities and outputs
Some LGBTQ TAT project activities and outputs included:
- Development of training and technical assistance materials.
- 6 Regional Training of Trainers sessions during a 12-month period in 16 cities, reaching 367 individuals representing all 94 state-funded domestic violence programs.
- 510 hours of training and technical assistance delivered via 383 TAT contacts to 1,777 participants over a 21-month period.
Key findings: staff changes
Comparing the final assessment conducted in 2009 to the initial assessments conducted in 2007, The Partnership found that staff at the participating DV programs reported:
- Greater awareness of issues impacting LGBTQ individuals
Improved understanding of LGBTQ client needs and critical issues to consider in providing services to LGBTQ victims and survivors. - Improved language sensitivity.
- Increased comfort with talking about sexual orientation, gender identity and bias among other staff and volunteers.
Key findings: organizational changes.
- 100% of agencies that participated in the final assessment indicated they made improvements in the implementation of one or more recommended practices.
- 90% of these agencies indicated they made improvements to their protocols and training to prepare staff to address behaviors that reflect biases against LGBTQ persons.
- 89% of these agencies reported making improvements in their case management practices with LGBTQ clients.
The greatest increases in implementation of the recommended practices were seen in:
- Display of LGBTQ-specific materials (56% increase over the project period).
- Presence of LGBTQ-sensitive materials and forms (48% increase over the project period).
- Mechanisms to track referrals to LGBTQ clients (47% increase over the project period).
- Mechanisms to track LGBTQ clients served (41% increase over the project period).
One agency described an example of how improvements over the course of the project period made a difference for one LGBTQ survivor:
“We had a trans-gender resident and our staff did an outstanding job in being sensitive to her needs. They went above and beyond to ensure they asked appropriate questions of their supervisors on how to handle her being ‘out’ to other residents. They advocated for her to receive services both in-house and at other organizations. They followed up with the TAT provider at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center about how to handle other residents’ concerns. This was an amazing experience in coming together to fully serve a DV victim that would not have received this level of service 3 years ago.”
Key findings: TAT providers
As a result of their involvement in the project, the TAT providers from CUAV, LAGLC and The Partnership reported improved skills in engaging DV programs in training and technical assistance to foster staff development and organizational change. Furthermore, these agencies were able to leverage project resources to create impacts in other programs, practices and policies within California, in other states and at the national level.
Presentations and Publications
The following presentations and publications are available for download.
Summary of the LGBTQ DV TAT Project Summative Evaluation Report
“Serving LGBTQ victims/survivors: An Overview of accessibility Issues and recommended practices” TAT materials
“Fostering an LGBTQ welcoming environment” TAT materials
“Effective case management with LGBTQ DV victims/survivors” TAT materials
“Domestic violence intake interviewing and screening with LGBTQ Individuals” TAT materials
“Developing effective partnerships with LGBTQ groups and organizations” TAT materials
“Addressing homo/bi/trans-phobia and heterosexism among clients and others” TAT materials
Addressing Oppression: A critical strategy for increasing LGBTQ access to services and ending DV
This presentation was delivered at the 13th National Coalition Against Domestic Violence conference in Washington, DC on 7/22/2008.
Transforming bias and opening doors: Building state and local capacity to address LGBTQ domestic violence
This presentation was delivered at the 137th Annual American Public Health Association Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 11/9/2009.
