Capacity Building Training for LGBTQ+ Service Providers

A five-hour workshop for LGBTQ+ service providers and those looking to build their foundational understanding of working with LGBTQ+ survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV).

Training Description:

Research has repeatedly shown that LGBTQ+ survivors of IPV are less likely to access traditional domestic violence services and are more likely to seek LGBTQ+ affirming therapists and resources at LGBTQ+ centers. This day-long workshop aims to bridge the knowledge gap for those not specifically working in the GBV field and provide crucial information about the dynamics of IPV, the barriers LGBTQ+ survivors face when seeking traditional care, safety planning, and trauma-informed approaches to supporting survivors. Additionally, this workshop will cover safety considerations for providers and strategies to mitigate vicarious trauma. Participants will leave this workshop better prepared to serve LGBTQ+ survivors of IPV.

Training Objectives:

• After this workshop, participants will be able to:
• Define domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and gender based violence, and explain the types of abuse a survivor experiences.
• Identify the unique barriers LGBTQ+ survivors experience when seeking out supportive services.
• Create a safety plan and consider the impacts of law enforcement in that plan. 
• Identify concrete steps to improve their agency’s response to the most marginalized LGBTQ+ survivors – BIPOC, trans, and bisexual survivors.
• Clearly communicate about the sexual health of survivors.
• Differentiate between the characteristics and actions of survivors and those who cause harm with the intent to gain power and control. 
• Practice a personalized self-care plan to increase sustainability in this work. 

Content Overview:

• Introduction
• Card exercise and debrief
• Dynamics of IPV
• Barriers to leaving an abusive relationship
• IPV in the LGBTQ+ community
• Barriers to Care
• Centering BIPOC LGBTQ+ survivors
• Safety Planning 
• Trauma-informed approaches when working with survivors
• Safety considerations for providers
• Practicing self-care and mitigating vicarious trauma