Overview
Domestic and sexual violence coalitions play a critical role in supporting service providers and survivors. Through training, technical assistance, policy advocacy, and resource development, state and territory coalitions can help ensure that trans and nonbinary survivors are recognized, respected, and served effectively across anti-violence programs.
Coalitions can improve services for trans and nonbinary survivors in each of the following realms:
- Support survivors affected by sexual or domestic violence
- Ensure statewide hotlines, legal advocacy, and other services are affirming for trans and nonbinary survivors.
- Advocate for effective policies
- Consider the impact of policies on trans and nonbinary survivors and advocate for inclusion.
- For example, several state coalitions were part of efforts to block legislation that would ban trans people from sex-specific spaces such as shelters and bathrooms.
- When coalitions create standards for local programs, those standards can require gender-inclusive services, affirming intake and shelter practices, and outreach to transgender communities.
- Collaborate with LGBTQ+ service providers
- Include trans throughout trainings, resources, and guidance for local programs.
- Include trans people throughout all resources and trainings. For example, a training on basic advocacy skills should include examples of transgender survivors.
- Connect with FORGE or other trans-led anti-violence organizations for training and technical assistance.
- Public awareness campaigns
- Ensure that public awareness campaigns depict an array of genders and relationship structures so that people understand domestic and sexual violence can happen to anyone.
- Use images and descriptions of trans people in public campaigns.
Domestic and sexual violence coalitions can connect member programs with national training and technical assistance providers, including FORGE, The National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence, and The American Bar Association Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence.
The American Bar Association Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence has created several resources for coalitions related to the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors, including enhancing the ability to shelter trans survivors, anti-trans rhetoric, and partnerships with LGBTQ organizations.