Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in LGBT2SQ+ Communities Across BC - Safety Planning with LGBT2SQ+

Guiding Principles The goal of safety planning is to help LGBT2SQ+ people improve their sense of safety by addressing the complexity of their safety needs and outlining strategies to help reduce future incidents of IPV and abuse. [...] Effective safety planning must consider the wider backdrop of oppression and violence experienced by LGBT2SQ+ people and all of the intersecting identities of the survivor and their experiences with interpersonal and institutional oppression. [...] What social support does the person have in place? How connected are they to other people in the LGBT2SQ+ community? How accessible are their social support networks to their abusive partner? How can safety planning reflect the realities of small communities, and increase safety even if the survivor remains in contact or in community with their abusive partner? How has the experience of IPV impact. [...] Are there relevant services that may feel safer for this individual? Depending on the situation, going to the hospital may be in the survivor’s best interest and a plan on how to support them in that process may be the best alternative. [...] How open are they to making a safety plan with you? What is their level of risk of IPV? Offer to work with the survivor to make the process as meaningful for them as possible within the limitations that exist.