👋Embracing Inclusivity: A Toolkit for LGBTQIA+ Gender-Based Violence Response
Empowering Service Providers for Comprehensive Support
Sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) are integral to each person's dignity and humanity. Unfortunately, they often become the basis for discrimination or abuse, whether by government officials or people and groups.
LGBTQIA+ people are disproportionately vulnerable to gender-based violence (GBV). However, survivors from these populations often lack access to holistic, safe, and identity-affirming support. Many service providers are unaware of their specific needs, creating a cycle where LGBTQIA+ people may avoid seeking assistance, and providers remain uninformed.
This toolkit is designed to break this cycle by empowering service providers to adopt an inclusive approach when working with LGBTQIA+ survivors. We emphasize the importance of adopting a survivor-centered approach when supporting people who identify as LGBTQIA+. It is crucial to recognize that the isolation, disparities, and marginalization experienced by LGBTQIA+ people result from societal discrimination based on SOGIESC, rather than SOGIESC itself being the issue.
It is important to note that not all clients will disclose their SOGIESC or survivor status initially. Instead, the recommended approach is for providers to treat all clients as potential survivors or LGBTQIA+ people unless stated otherwise.
An inclusive approach to services also has the potential to benefit clients who do not identify as LGBTQIA+. For example, by deepening our understanding of gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) men’s disproportionate vulnerability to GBV and expanding GBV support services, cisgender heterosexual men could also benefit from such inclusive services. Research has consistently shown that addressing disadvantages and exclusions experienced by one group tends to have a positive impact that benefits society as a whole. Ensuring that service providers are attuned to the needs of marginalized clients can enhance the overall quality of services, benefiting all clients.
When the most vulnerable among us benefits, we all prosper.
The acronym LGBTQIA+ is used in this toolkit when applicable to a spectrum of identities comprising, but not limited to, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual.
The ‘+’ in the acronym is used in this toolkit to include gender-diverse people, as well as other queer and sexual minorities. Where it does not apply to intersex people and asexual people, the term LGBTQ+ will be used.
Who is this toolkit for?
This toolkit is for gender-based violence-related service providers, with the intention of introducing an LGBTQIA+ affirming approach in GBV response and the importance of having a survivor-centric approach in responding to LGBTQIA+ GBV cases. “Service providers” here include the following:
NGO service providers who respond to people who experienced GBV;
Healthcare providers, including those working in the public and private sectors.
The toolkit also contains guidelines on preparing for an LGBTQIA+ affirming GBV response.
Although this is primarily written with NGO and healthcare service providers in mind, the contents of this toolkit may also be adapted to government agencies that respond to GBV, including but not limited to the police, oversight bodies, and welfare departments.
What does this toolkit contain?
This toolkit contains a variety of sections, including:
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