LGBTQ Services
The Alexandria Office on Women welcomes and serves ALL survivors of violence, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) survivors.
Research estimates that 25% to 33% of LGBTQ relationships are abusive (the same percentage as in heterosexual relationships). Abusive LGBTQ relationships have the same dynamics of power and control as abusive heterosexual relationships, but frequently they go undetected and unreported. Because of this, abuse in LGBTQ relationships can seem like a hidden problem. Attitudes like "women don't hurt each other" or "a fight between two men is a fair fight" can keep people from recognizing abuse. Some abusers threaten to "out" the survivor to parents, friends or employers. Further, people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender are just as likely as people who identify as heterosexual to experience sexual violence from a family member, acquaintance, partner or stranger. A survivor may be afraid to get help, worried that services will be homophobic and insensitive.
In 2007 SARA and DVP were awarded grant money from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to intensify efforts to improve services and outreach to survivors who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. A LGBTQ Victim Services Advisory Board made up of committed community members was established to fulfill this goal: To enhance the quality and sensitivity of Alexandria’s sexual and domestic violence services to persons who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning/Queer, or Intersex (LGBTQI) so that survivors from these communities will receive informed and respectful treatment and will feel more comfortable reaching out for services.
If you or a friend have survived or are surviving sexual or intimate partner violence, please call our hotlines for support.
Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Hotline: 703-838-4911
Sexual Assault Response and Awareness (SARA) Hotline: 703-683-7273
*DVP and SARA recognize that being housed within the Office on Women may seem exclusionary to male survivors. However, we welcome male survivors (also MTF and FTM survivors) and strive to offer the best quality of care.
Sheriff Lawhorne Recognizes Volunteer and Staff for LGBTQ Training
Staff members of the Sexual and Domestic Violence Programs and volunteer, Karen Gautney, trained all employees of the Sheriff's Department and the Police Department on working with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Communities from February through April 2009. Sheriff Dana Lawhorne gave special recognition to the Office on Women and Karen Gautney at a departmental staff meeting for working to create a safer and more inclusive environment for LGBTQ community members.
Sheriff Dana Lawhorne (center), Volunteer Karen Gautney (center right), and Office on Women staff members (from left) Debra Evans, Stephanie Romonchuk, and Erika Kleiner.
Past Events
Greg Louganis Visits Alexandria to Speak About Intimate Partner Violence
The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program (DVP) and Sexual Assault Response and Awareness (SARA) Program hosted a visit from Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis on Friday, October 3. Many remember Louganis’ amazing athletic achievements as an Olympic diver, but few are aware he is a survivor of intimate partner violence.
"Intimate partner violence happens more than we want to admit, and, unfortunately, it happens as often in gay and lesbian relationships as it does in heterosexual relationships,” said Louganis. “I hope that my story will raise awareness about violence in the community and signal to everyone that we need to work together to end the violence.”
Listen to a podcast about the services the City provides to LGBTQ survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Other Resources
Anti-Violence Project of Equality Virginia
The State of Violence in LGBTQ Communities of Virginia Report
The Virginia LGBTQ Community Resource and Referral Guide
Rainbow Response: Greater DC Coalition to Address Intimate Partner Violence in the LGBTQ Communities
FAQ's - Virginia Family Violence Laws and the LGBTQ Community
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs 2006 Report on LGBT Domestic Violence
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
212-714-1184
Gay and Lesbian National Hotline (also serves bisexual and transgender people)
Open Monday-Friday 4pm-12am, Saturday 12pm-5pm Eastern Standard Time
1-888-843-4564
Domestic Violence and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Relationships
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project
1-800-832-1901
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