The Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) had task forces to address domestic violence in many underserved or marginalized communities. They did not have a task force to address it in LGBTQIA+ communities. In the spring of 2010, ODVN and BRAVO partnered to start the LGBTQIA+ Task Force of Ohio. The task force is made up of community members, allies, and domestic violence advocates. The mission of the task force is to help remove barriers to services for LGBTQIA+ survivors of violence.
History
ODVN’s Legal Advocacy Caucuses and Task Forces were born out of a need for legal advocates to:
- Get training on issues about domestic violence and stalking.
- Talk about the best ways to advocate for survivors in criminal and civil courts.
- Get public policy updates that affect state and county laws.
- Build a network.
Goals and Objectives
Inform. Provide information about domestic violence and sexual assault in LGBTQIA+ communities
Educate. Train mainstream service providers and advocates about domestic violence and sexual assault in LGBTQIA+ communities
Empower. Increase the capacity of advocates and service providers to provide effective service to LGBTQIA+ survivors
Connect. Help task force members and appropriate agencies network and work together to effectively serve LGBTQIA+ survivors
The LGBTQIA+ Task Force of Ohio brings together domestic violence and sexual assault advocates, community agencies, community members, and their allies. Together, they build a network that develops resources and best practices to address domestic violence and sexual assault in LGBTQIA+ communities. This task force will have a listserv to foster resource sharing and networking. Please contact Emily Kulow or Rodney Nussbaum for information about joining this task force.