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LGBTQ: Sexual Assault, Partner Violence, and Stalking Guide

This document is a guide for survivors of interpersonal violence, including sexual violence, relationship violence, and/or stalking. If you've experienced any of these forms of violence, know that what happened is not your fault. You have options for how to move forward, and there are resources and support services available. However you decide to move forward, know that the Norse Violence Prevention Center (NVP) is here to support you.

For more information and support, NKU students may contact the Norse Violence Prevention Center at

(859) 572-5865

for a confidential meeting to discuss options available to promote your safety.

Understanding Interpersonal Violence

Examples of relationship violence: 

  • Threatening to disclose personal/sensitive information
  • Threatening to out their partner
  • Destroying or taking their belongings
  • Threatening physical harm to their partner or someone they care about
  • Threatening to commit suicide if the other person leaves them
  • Controlling daily activities, such as who they spend time with, what they do, etc.

Examples of stalking:

  • Repeatedly sending unwanted gifts
  • Following the person or showing up at their class, apartment, dorm room, work or other places they spend time
  • Posting information or spreading rumors about the individual
  • Repeated, unwanted text messages, email or social media contact
  • Making threats to the person's family or friends

Examples of sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct:

  • Pushing sexual boundaries
  • Taking photos or videos of a sexual nature without the other person's consent
  • Sexual touching or penetration without consent
  • Using alcohol or drugs to take advantage of someone

Understanding Consent

NKU Defines consent as: Consent is clear, knowing and voluntary. Consent is active, not passive. Silence, in and of itself, cannot be interpreted as consent. Verbal consent is not a requirement of this policy; however, consent may be given by words as long as those words create mutually understandable clear permission regarding willingness to engage in sexual activity.

Consent to any one form of sexual activity cannot alone imply consent to any other forms of sexual activity. Previous relationships or prior consent cannot imply consent to future sexual acts. 

What should I do if I’m being abused?

First, know that the abuse you are experiencing or have experienced is not your fault. No one ever deserves to experience abuse, and it's important that you are in control of how you decide to move forward.

Many survivors find it helpful to talk about the experience with a trusted friend, professional, or other support person. There are confidential resources available in the community and at NKU to provide that support.

If you have concerns for your safety, you may want to talk to NVP staff to make a safety plan. A safety plan includes steps you can take or people you can work with to help ensure your physical and emotional safety.

You can speak with an advocate who is knowledgeable about interpersonal violence and has experience working with the LGBTQ community.

How can I help my friend or partner?

  • If your friend or partner has disclosed an experience of interpersonal violence, believe them and don't question the details of their disclosure.
  • Let them know the violence is not their fault.
  • Avoid asking questions or making statements that may make them feel like the abuse is their fault.
  • Ask how you can help or support them rather than telling them what they should do.
  • Offer your unconditional love and support.
  • If needed, find other sources of support.

Statistics 

  • 43.8% of lesbian women and 61.1% of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.
  • 26% of gay men and 37.3% of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
  • In a study of male same-sex relationships, only 26% of men called the police for assistance after experiencing near-lethal violence.
  • In 2012 fewer than 5% of LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence sought orders of protection.
  • Transgender victims are more likely to experience intimate partner violence in public compared to those who do not identify as transgender.
  • Bisexual victims are more likely to experience sexual violence compared to people who do not identify as bisexual.
  • LGBTQ Black victims are more likely to experience physical intimate partner violence compared to those who do not identify as Black.

Norse Violence Prevention Center 

The Norse Violence Prevention (NVP) Center provides confidential advocacy and assistance to university students who are affected by sexual harassment, sexual violence, partner violence and stalking. NVP strives to assist survivors in identifying which choices make the most sense for them. Some of the things NVP can help you with include: 

  • Support and information on options and resources 
  • Hospital advocacy 
  • Safety planning 
  • Academic accommodations 
  • Housing accommodations 
  • Assistance with reporting (on and/or off campus)
  • Others, based on situation

To schedule an appointment, please call the Norse Violence Prevention Center at 859.572.5865 or stop by the center on the second floor of the Albright Health Center, Suite 246. For more information about NVP, please visit: nku.edu/nvp or e-mail us at nvp@nku.edu.

LGBTQ Programs and Services

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Programs & Services Office was created in the summer of 2013. As part of the Office of Student Affairs, we are committed to offering programs and services to increase visibility, awareness, and advocacy for LGBTQ students, staff, and faculty at Northern Kentucky University. Our location is Student Union 309.

Title IX Office

The Office of Title IX investigates complaints related to sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking. They may be able to assist with protective measures on campus including:

  • Academic and housing accommodations
  • No contact directive
  • Removal of directory information
  • Removal of parties from campus
  • Others, based on situation

To file a report or to find more information about NKU's sexual harassment policy, please visit nku.edu/titleix.

NKU Resources

  1. Norse Violence Prevention Program 
    Albright Health Center, Suite 246
    Phone 859-572-5685 
    E-mail nvp@nku.edu 
    Web nvp.nku.edu

  2. LGBTQ Programs & Services 
    Student Union, room 309 
    Phone 859-572-5835 
    Web nku.edu/lgbtq    

  3. Health, Counseling and Student Wellness 
    University Center, room 440 
    Phone 859-572-5650 
    E-mail hcsw@nku.edu 
    Web nku.edu/hcsw
  1. University Police 
    Emergency Contact 
    (859) 572-7777 or 911
    Non-Emergency Contact (859) 572-5500 
    Web nku.edu/police

  2. Office of Title IX
    University Center, Room 330
    Phone (859) 572-7669
    E-mail zippina1@nku.edu
    Web nku.edu/titleix

Community Resources

  1. Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO) 
    PO Box 82068
    Columbus, Ohio 43202 
    Phone Cincinnati Chapter (513) 453-4001 
    Web www.bravo-ohio.org

  2. Women Helping Women
    215 E. 9th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202
    Phone (513) 381-5610 (24-hour text and phone line)
    Web womenhelpingwomen.org

  3. Women's Crisis Center 
    863 Madison Ave. Covington, KY 41011
    Phone (859) 491-3335 (24-hour phone line)
    Web wccky.org
  1. Northern Kentucky Fairness
    2 W Pike St., Covington, Kentucky 41011 
    Phone (859) 572-5835
    Web nkypride.org

  2. Heartland Trans Wellness Group 
    103 William Howard Taft Rd.
    Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 
    Phone (513) 549-4447 
    E-mail info@transwellness.org

National Resources

LGBT National Help Center 
1 (888) 843-4564

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) National Help Center is a non-profit organization that provides vital peer-support, community connections and resource information to people with questions regarding sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project 
1 (800) 832-1901

Provides free and confidential support and services for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer survivors of domestic and sexual violence. They work with victims and survivors to increase safety, security, and foster empowerment through direct services, education, and advocacy.

The Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project 
955 Massachusetts Ave.
PMB 131 Cambridge, MA 02139

24-Hour Emergency Hotline 1 (800) 832-1901
Client Services (617) 779-2136
Sexual Assault Services (617) 779-2127

This grassroots, nonprofit organization provides community education and direct services for clients. GMDVP offers shelter, guidance and resources to allow gay, bisexual and transgender men in crisis to leave violent situations and relationships. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The Network/La Red
Phone
(617) 423-SAFE [7233] (Hotline in English and Spanish)

This program offers free services in English and Spanish for lesbians, bisexual women and transgender people who are victims of battering. These services include a hotline, emergency shelter and advocacy programs. 

The Polaris 
P.O. Box 65323 Washington, DC 200035
Phone (202) 745-1001

Polaris disrupts the conditions that allow human trafficking to thrive in our society. From working with government leaders to protect victims’ rights, to building partnerships with the world’s leading technology corporations, they spark long-term change that focuses communities on identifying, reporting and eliminating trafficking networks. 

The Trevor Project
24-Hour Hotline
(866) 488-7386
Web thetrevorproject.org

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

Works cited for statistics

NCADV: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (n.d.). Retrieved September 01, 2020, from https://ncadv.org/BLOG/POSTS/DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE-AND-THE-LGBTQ-COMMUNITY