BOSTON, Mass. — This month, Boston’s TOD@S collaborative published a community assessment that provides greater insight into responding to the needs of Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T survivors of partner abuse in the Greater Boston area. TOD@S is an interagency collaboration between The Hispanic Black Gay Coalition, The Violence Recovery Program at Fenway Health, The Network / La Red, and Renewal House (a program of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry). Since 2012, the collaborative has worked to improve and increase access to intervention and prevention services for Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T people affected by partner abuse.
In 2013, TOD@S collected over 200 responses from local LGBQ/T people to better understand attitudes and beliefs about partner abuse in Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T communities, what Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T people think about the existing partner abuse infrastructure and services in the Boston area (shelters, organizations, counseling, etc.), and why Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T people in the Boston area may or may not take advantage of existing resources. The collaborative hopes the assessment will ignite a discussion among partner abuse service agencies and agencies that serve Black and Latin@ people in the Boston area about how to better meet the needs of people living with multiple (often marginalized) identities when they are abused by their partner(s). Additionally, the collaborative hopes the recommendations suggested in the assessment will guide local agencies towards creating more inclusive and welcoming resources and services for Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T survivors. Learn more about the community assessment and read the full report at www.todosinaction.org. [pullquote]The collaborative hopes the assessment will ignite a discussion among partner abuse service agencies and agencies that serve Black and Latin@ people in the Boston area about how to better meet the needs of people living with multiple (often marginalized) identities when they are abused by their partner(s).[/pullquote]
In addition to releasing the community assessment, TOD@S has new opportunities available through the collaborative to better meet the needs of Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T survivors. One project, the TOD@S Leadership Crew (TLC), empowers Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T people affected by partner abuse/domestic violence to create and implement projects aimed at raising awareness about partner abuse in their community. TOD@S is currently accepting applications for TLC until March 16, 2014. Interested candidates can learn more and apply at www.todosinaction.org/?s=TLC.
Agencies can also contact TOD@S for a number of free trainings on understanding and responding to LGBQ/T partner abuse in Black and Latin@ communities. Trainings provide an in-depth opportunity to learn more about the unique challenges and barriers that can be faced by Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T when experiencing partner abuse and accessing services. Trainings also provide an opportunity for agencies to learn what they can do to better serve Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T survivors. To learn more about training opportunities, contact todoscontact@gmail.com. [pullquote]Agencies can also contact TOD@S for a number of free trainings on understanding and responding to LGBQ/T partner abuse in Black and Latin@ communities. Trainings provide an in-depth opportunity to learn more about the unique challenges and barriers that can be faced by Black and Latin@ LGBQ/T when experiencing partner abuse and accessing services.[/pullquote]
TOD@S is an interagency collaboration between The Hispanic Black Gay Coalition, The Violence Recovery Program at Fenway Health, The Network / La Red, and Renewal House (a program of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry) in Boston, Massachusetts. Our mission is to improve and increase access to intervention and prevention services for Black and Latin@ lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBQ/T) people affected by partner abuse. For more information visit: www.todosinaction.org.
[From a News Release]
