Do you feel unsafe? We are here for YOU.
Crisis Support for Victims 24-Hour Confidential Crisis Line 800.670.7273
(accessible from 925, 510, 415, 408, 707 and 650 area codes)
Looking to make a free call for help and resources?
Dial 211 from any pay phone (and most other phones) in Contra Costa County to reach the Contra Costa Crisis Center
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What is Domestic Violence?
The National Domestic Violence Hotline defines domestic violence or intimate partner violence (IPV) as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.
Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.
What is Abuse?
Verbal/Emotional Abuse:
Constant criticism * Humiliation * Obsessive jealousy * Threats to “out” you without your permission
Sexual Abuse may include:
Using force or coercion to get sex * Sexual humiliation or pain * Refusal to practice safe sex
Physical Abuse may include:
Pushes, slaps, kicks, bites, restraining, and/or the use of weapons against you * Damage or destruction of things that you value * Intimidation and threatening behavior
Economic Abuse may include:
Controlling money and resources, forcing to live above means, stealing, identity theft
Cultural/Identity Abuse
Threat of outing partner’s sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, or any other personal information. Using partner’s race, class, age, immigration status, religion, size, physical ability, language, and/or ethnicity, against them.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples that are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.
Does IPV happen in the LGBTQ Community?
IPV is all about control and power. It can and does happen in any kind of relationship. Research estimates that up to ¼ of all LGBTQ relationships involve abuse.
- L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
How can I tell if I have experienced IPV?
Have you ever…
- Been hit, grabbed, pushed, slapped, bitten, had things thrown at you, etc?
- Does your partner stop you from leaving your room or your house? Control who you talk with and where you go?
- Has your partner ever forced you to have sex or made you do things during sex that made you feel uncomfortable?
- Does your partner threaten to “out” you to your family or co-worker?
- Has your partner ever tried to keep you from getting medical help?
- Has your partner ever refused to practice safe sex? Threatened to disclose your HIV status or tell others you are HIV positive
- Have you been told that you would not be believed by anyone if you disclosed the abuse?
You have the right to be safe and feel supported and loved.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship.
Introducing the STAND in PRIDE Project
The STAND in Pride project is a collaboration between the Rainbow Community Center (RCC), STAND! For Families Free of Violence and Community Violence Solutions (CVS). The goal of the project is to improve services for LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence, interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking; to educate the community on domestic violence in LGBTQ relationships and sexual assault among same-sex and/or transgender partners.
