Domestic Violence and the GLBTQ Community
As October comes to an end, many of us have thoughts about costumes and other Halloween activities. October is also National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As this month comes to a close, it is important to be aware that this form of violence affects the GLBTQ community as it does the straight community. However, GLBTQ individuals are more likely to encounter domestic violence and are particularly vulnerable to the adverse consequences due to several factors. The most common reason is underreporting. Many GLBTQ individuals do not trust that they will receive assistance when they contact emergency services. Some don’t call for help because they think that they are at fault for the abuse they are receiving. Domestic violence is never acceptable and it is possible to stop it and prevent it from happening.
At Texas Relationship Therapy, we work with couples who have experienced violence in their relationships. We look forward to working with clients to establish coping skills that counter frustration caused by relationship problems. As I work with GLBTQ couples and individuals I see that they not only encounter the same relationship issues as the straight community, they also face social problems and discrimination that will affect the couple dynamic. We as therapists are aware of these issues and we seek to help those already affected and to prevent violence that may occur in the future.
There are domestic violence resources available to the GLBTQ community. In addition to seeking help at Texas Relationship Therapy, here are some helpful phone numbers and websites:
The Hotline
http://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/lgbt-abuse/
800-799-7233
Houston Area Women’s Center
713-528-2121
The Montrose Center
713-529-3211
If you have any further questions about this topic or to schedule a session with one of our clinicians, please CONTACT US.
Never miss a new blog post! Sign-up for our NEWSLETTER on our homepage.
