Pride has long stood for much more than a celebration. For many members of the LGBTQ+ community, Pride is a way to bring awareness to issues that directly affect the community and promote understanding. Pride is a great time to discuss how victim services intersects with LGBTQ+ issues because it gives advocates a chance to discuss what can be done better within the court system and what the effects of victimization of LGBTQ+ individuals can mean. Here are three things to know about Pride and victim advocacy.
1. LGBTQ+ Victims are Less Likely to Report...
… but have some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence (IPV). The reasons for low reporting typically have to do with perception. In smaller, more rural communities, members of the LGBTQ+ community do not want to risk being outed when they and/or their partner are arrested for ‘fighting’ in the street. Many LEOs also incorrectly assume that two same-sex appearing individuals fighting are simply assaulting each other; however, that assumption leaves out the idea that it might be an IPV situation. Because LGBTQ+ members feel they might be ostracized for their identity within the court system, they tend not to come forward.
Advocates work hard to make our spaces safe and secure for victims of crime. This includes LGBTQ+ victims of crime. It breaks our heart when we hear that survivors don’t want to come talk with a prosecutor because they preemptively feel judged. We want LGBTQ+ survivors to know that we see you, we hear you and we believe you.
2. LGBTQ+ Individuals Exist in the CJS
There are LGBTQ+ law enforcement officers, advocates, prosecutors, judges, clerks, forensic nurses… while the representation isn’t as widespread as we want to see, there are LGBTQ+ individuals in all aspects of the criminal justice field. These individuals remain proud of who they are and how they serve the community. Some even serve as LGBTQ+ liaisons, directly representing issues of the LGBTQ+ community to ensure that policies and procedures do not disproportionately impact or discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals. But it is important to point out that LGBTQ+ individuals don’t have to serve in that role - they can serve in any role. Regardless, the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals do exist within the criminal justice system, and it’s important we recognize them and promote engagement with younger generations.
We know that sometimes LGBTQ+ representatives can experience tokenism, the same as people of color or women in the workplace. As advocates, we inherently work to avoid doing that to anyone who serves as a representative. We want LGBTQ+ individuals to recognize that they can serve in these fields without fear of discrimination or tokenism. And, if they do experience it from us, know that we are open to understanding why and how our actions affected you in that way.
3. The Court System is Scary, but Advocates are Here to Help
An advocate’s job is to guide victims through the criminal justice system. It’s important for us to emphasize that, because many victims don’t know that advocates exist until after the criminal justice process starts. They don’t realize what resources are available, such as counseling or support groups. LGBTQ+ survivors deserve to know that there are people available to assist them in navigating the criminal justice system. They can ask for justice, they can reach out to receive help. Advocates can connect LGBTQ+ survivors with services that were created specifically for them, or they can connect them with any services they request.
If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community and are a survivor of crime, we want you to know that there is hope. You can receive referrals from us to our community partners that will provide you with the tools and services you need to get through this - you’re not alone.