LGBTQA+: Sexual Assault, Partner Violence, and Stalking Guide

Understanding Interpersonal Violence

Interpersonal violence is an umbrella term used to describe forms of violence that take power and control away from another person. This is a broad term that encompasses things like relationship violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking. These are not the only forms of interpersonal violence, just some of the most common. It also can be difficult to recognize interpersonal violence within the LGBTQA+ community due to things such as biases, exclusion of the community from prevention work, a lack of information, or a lack of resources for support.

Examples of relationship violence: 

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

Examples of stalking:

•  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 individua
• Repeated, unwanted text messages, emails, or social media contact
• Repeatedly sending unwanted gifts
• Asking for information from person’s family or friends
  

Examples of sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct:

• Pushing sexual boundaries
• Taking and/or 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 harm you are experiencing or have experienced is not your fault. No one ever deserves to experience harm, 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 staff at NVP to make a safety plan. A safety plan is a plan of 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 LGBTQA+ 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 harm 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. 
• Offer to help find other sources of support.

Statistics 

• 44% of lesbian women and 61% of bisexual women have experienced interpersonal violence at some point in their lifetime.
•  26% of gay men and 37% of bisexual men have experienced interpersonal violence  in their lifetime.
• Transgender survivors are more likely to experience threats/ intimidation, harassment, and police violence. 
• Transgender survivors may experience harm targeted specifically because of their gender identity.
• Bisexual victims are more likely to experience sexual violence, compared to people who do not identify as bisexual.
• LGBTQA+ Black/African American victims are more likely to experience physical intimate partner violence, compared to those who do not identify as Black/African American.
• Transgender victims are more likely to experience intimate partner violence in public, compared to those who do not identify as transgender.
  

Norse Violence Prevention Center 

NVP provides confidential advocacy and assistance to university students who are affected by interpersonal violence. 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
• Safety planning 
• Academic accommodations 
• Housing accommodations 
• Assistance with reporting (on and/or off campus)
• Emotional support

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.

LGBTQA+  Student Initiatives

The LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives is a part of the Office of Student Affairs. The goal of the office is to help create an inclusive environment for any student on the gender and sexuality spectrums. They are here to support and welcome any student, there are different organizations available to offer support or community such as the SAFE mentor program or student organizations. The office is located in the Student Union suite

Title IX Office

Title IX is a part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Title IX prohibits sex based discrimination at any educational institution that receives federal funding. This includes the school investigating complaints against sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and/or stalking. Title IX also includes protections for LGBTQA+ students. Institutions are required to respond and support student survivors regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This also applies if the survivor experiences violence because of their sexual orientation/ gender identity. 

 The Office of Title IX at NKU investigates complaints related to sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking. They may be able to assist with interim protective measures on campus. No contact orders, removal of the remedial party, academic/housing sanctions, or other measures can be implemented through this office. 

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

NKU Resources

Community Resources

National Resources

An NVP advocate can assist in looking for more specific resources or resources that fit other needs not addressed in this guide.

Works cited for statistics

ReferencesKnow Your IX. (n.d.). Know Your IX Title IX Protections for LGBTQ Students. https://knowyourix.org/college-resources/title-ix-protections-lgbtq-students/

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Program. (2013). Lesbian, Gay. Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV- Affected Intimate Partner Violence in 2012. https://avp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ncavp_2012_ipvreport.final_.pdf

The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. (2014, February). Intimate Partner Violence in the United States 2012. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/cdc_nisvs_ipv_report_2013_v17_single_a.pdf