He has endured severe physical abuse by his intimate partner. His face and body left bruised and swollen from relentless beatings. After years of abuse, he decides to seek help. But, when he calls the police, they reply, ‘This is only a roommate argument, why did you bother calling us?’

“He begins to feel defeated. No one knows he’s gay. When he talks to his friends for support, he does not reveal he is in a same-sex relationship. He does not know where to turn. He agonizes making a decision to reach out for help, fearing outsiders will not understand him. Who will be supportive of a gay man? Are domestic violence counselors understanding and knowledgeable of heterosexism and homophobia? Are professionals empathic and supportive of victims who are in same-sex relationships? Will the police be respectful of his experiences?

“Then, he receives information about a new program providing services to the LGBT community in Western New York. He makes one telephone call. He receives the support he has wanted. He begins to break the isolation and empower himself to create a life free from abuse.”

The story above, told by Julie the LGBT IPV Victim Advocate at Child & Family Services Haven House, demonstrates some of the many possible barriers that gay men and LGBT people in general face when a partner or spouse becomes violent. This is why the LGBT DV Committee of Western New York was formed and funding was sought to provide assistance to the region’s LGBT community. The committee is comprised of volunteer professionals who specialize in intimate partner violence work. This collaborative effort has resulted in the development and implementation of a new program to provide domestic violence services to the LGBT community.

Through a partnership with Haven House, the committee has created a system of non-residential services that help LGBT victims in crisis by providing them with some of the necessary tools and resources needed to rebuild their lives. While the system and the way it addresses gay men and transgender persons is still evolving, Julie and the committee are dedicated to creating alternatives for creating safe-spaces and assistance for all LGBT community members.

Through the Haven House 24-hour confidential hotline (884-6000), support, information, referrals, and shelter arrangements are being created and provided to LGBT community members in Western New York. Along with counseling, support groups, client advocacy, education and training, legal consultation with volunteer lawyers, and children’s services for children residing in shelters, Haven House is seeking to create new programs and services to bridge the divide between what is available and what is needed by our community, like developing the Safe Home Network program that will provide temporary housing for gay men and transgender persons for whom current DV shelters do not provide housing options for.

For further information about this innovative new program, please call 884-6002.