NCJ Number
102368
Editor(s)
K Lobel
Date Published
1986
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Since 1981, a grassroots program providing safe housing and other services to victims of domestic violence has been offering battered lesbians the same program model offered to heterosexual battered women.
Abstract
The program rests on the view that lesbian victims of domestic violence and sexual assault have the right to services that are not homophobic. The program's first priority is to obtain safe space for battered lesbians and their children. Flyers, phone calls, and word of mouth spread word about community meetings, which provide presentations about the dynamics, effects, and potential action steps related to domestic violence. The program publicizes only its telephone number and post office box to the general public. Only those who need to know receive information on the office and meeting location. The program offers individual and group counseling and drop-in support groups. It uses a sliding fee scale. Battering lesbians receive counseling in anger control. The program has not yet resolved the issues of confidentiality, relationships with the criminal justice system, the needs of the children of battering lesbians, the accountability of batterers, labeling, and professionalism.