Violence among LGBTQ in a Southern state : Assessment Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer (LGBTQ) individuals, families, households, and communities experience the trauma and sequelae of partner violence, sexual violence, hate violence, and other violence, which is under- reported. This violence and its under-reporting are associated with social prejudice, stigmatization, and discrimination because of actual or perceived LGBTQ identity and expression, lack of protections under human rights and other law, and poor access to competent services in many areas of the US (and the world). National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2013, for the first time reported reliable population-based data on experiences of partner violence by sexual orientation for both women and men. Sexual minority respondents reported levels of intimate partner violence at rates equal to or higher than those of heterosexuals.  About 1 in 8 lesbian women (13%), nearly half of bisexual women (46%), and 1 in 6 heterosexual women (17%) have been raped in their lifetime. The report authors suggest that this translates to an estimated 214,000 lesbian women, 1.5 million bisexual women, and 19 million heterosexual women.  Four in 10 gay men (40%), nearly half of bisexual men (47%), and 1 in 5 heterosexual men (21%) have experienced SV other than rape in their lifetime. The authors suggest that this translates into nearly 1.1 million gay men, 903,000 bisexual men, and 21.6 million heterosexual men. Studies in a variety of settings report that transgender respondents experience high levels of violence.  More than half of transgender respondents to a citywide health assessment reported having been forced to have sex, 56% had experienced violence in their homes, 51% had experienced physical abuse, and 30% had attempted suicide (Kenagy, 2005).  In a statewide survey nearly 35% transgender respondents reported lifetime physical abuse by a partner compared with 14% report from gay or lesbian respondents (Ard and Makadon, 2011). Virginia Transgender Health Study (mixed method community-based participatory research with MTF and FTM from urban to rural locales) found widespread sexual violence, from early age, primarily by acquaintances  35% of FTMs responded they had been sexually assaulted compared to 23% of MTFs  Median age of first incident 14 years old for FTMs and 15 years old for MTFs  57% respondents reported they felt the reason for one or more of the incidents of forced sex was due to their transgender status, gender identity, or gender expression, with 71% of MTFs attributing that motive to one or more of the incidents, compared to 40% of FTMs  Acquaintances were the most common perpetrators of sexual violence (48%), followed by complete strangers (26%), father or stepfather (16%), a former spouse or partner (14%), current spouse or partner (12%), and a brother or sister (12%)  83% of victims of sexual assaults did not report any of the incidences police ( Stotzer, 2009 ) Response Virginia Anti-Violence Project (VAVP) since 2006, 501.c.3 since 2008 VAVP assessed needs 1000 statewide community sample)  36% experienced sexual violence as a child or young person  26% experienced sexual violence as an adult  41% had been in an abusive relationship at some time in their life and 30% had been stalked  50% experienced hate violence or harassment based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation and 10% experienced hate violence or harassment based on their gender identity/expression  Many experienced multiple types of violence  38% did not seek any help. Top reasons : 66% afraid of their partner’s reactions 53% fear that no one would believe them, 47% fear hostile reactions, 31% afraid to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity ALSO interviewed local agencies working with violence survivors and local LGBTQ organizations:  Fewer than five of the 59 sexual and/or domestic violence agencies had knowingly served any LGBTQ people in the twelve months preceding the interview.  Leaders in only five of the 27 LGBTQ organizations had received any training on sexual violence and intimate partner violence and only a third of all the LGBTQ organizations had sexual violence and intimate partner violence materials available for community members to utilize. Supported by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Grant 07-A5313DV07 and 08-B5313DV08 from funds made available through the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Fund VAVP initiated programs responding to needs Training: Agencies, Communities,Advocacy: Information, Support,Networking: IndividualsInterventionsLocal, State, National Healthy Relationships Skills For Immediate Release: VAVP condemns brutal Classes. Please sign up.assault on Eric Martin 14year old Looking ahead: Complementary cycle (Barkham and Mellor ‐ Clark, 2003) where practice-based evidence can be evaluated to inform dissemination of evidence-based practices, among providers of culturally competent, organizationally efficient and effective services. One promising area may be Substance Abuse-AIDS-Violence - SAVA – syndemic model (Meyer and Altice, 2011) Edward Strickler MA (religious ethics) MA (clinical ethics) MPH CHES