Today I am finding joy in the sunshine.
As we come to the end of June, I find myself once again shaking my head at all that has transpired in our country and community. There is so much going on that it is difficult to grasp at times—I am sure many of you might be feeling the same: overwhelmed, tired, sad, frustrated…
With COVID rates spiking in Ada County we continue working to keep our clients and team safe – it is taxing on everyone as we would love to be done with this pandemic. However, we cannot let let our guard down and we must recommit to practices we know will help keep everyone we come into contact with safe. I implore you all to help us keep our community, clients and staff safe. Please wear a mask to help stop community spread.
June is pride month, and today I am finding joy in the sunshine, the smiling faces of my grandchildren and the rainbow flags I see blowing in the wind up and down the streets of our town. Pride Month or “Pride” is the month for many to recognize the impact LGBTQ+ people have had in the world and to bring attention to the rights for those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Here in Boise, Pride, as with many events, was postponed and then moved to a virtual platform due to the global health pandemic. The past few years, our outreach team has been able to attend the Boise Pride celebration to share information and resources about our services and about domestic abuse and sexual assault. Data tells us that members of the LGBTQ + community are victims of domestic abuse at equal or even higher rates as compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Here are just a few stats provided by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
- 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, as opposed to 35% of heterosexual women.
- 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 comparison to 29% of heterosexual men.
- 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.
We are able to provide services to any who need them – including our LGBTQ+ community – because of your support. Help us as we work to ensure everyone knows we are here for them.
The WCA provides services to all those impacted by the trauma of violence and abuse. We are here, our doors are open. Our hotline calls remain high as do emergency intakes into our secure domestic violence shelter.
We appreciate and are grateful for you and the privilege you give us of engaging in this important work every day. And if you haven’t given us your feedback by filling out the WCA Service Awareness Assessment Survey, your input is critical!
-Bea Black
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