Apicha CHC's Commitment to Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Apicha CHC remains dedicated to providing resources to those in need. 

About Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence remains a pertinent issue in the United States, and the month of October serves to bring awareness, raise funds, and provide resources to those in need. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. Although anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, women suffer higher rates of domestic violence. 

• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking
• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner
• Women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner
• 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence
• Women abused by their intimate partners are more vulnerable to contracting HIV or other STI’s due to forced intercourse or prolonged exposure to stress
• On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.

Domestic violence within the LGBTQ+ community

Domestic violence has a long-standing association with heterosexual intimate partner violence (IPV). The CDC defines IPV as, "physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression (including coercive acts) by a current or former intimate partner."

LGBTQ+ people are largely ignored in national conversations and initiatives addressing domestic violence and abuse. According to the CDC, sexual minorities experience levels of intimate partner violence at rates equal to or higher than those of heterosexuals. 

• Forty-four percent of lesbian women, 61% of bisexual women, and 35% of heterosexual women experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
• Twenty-six percent of gay men, 37% of bisexual men, and 29% of heterosexual men experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.
• Approximately 1 in 5 bisexual women (22%) and nearly 1 in 10 heterosexual women (9%) have been raped by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Apicha CHC's involvement during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

To commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness month in October, Apicha CHC partnered with a domestic violence shelter to provide a sexual health workshop that discussed HIV, STIs, and conducted a condom demonstration.

Staff also provided HIV and STI screening at the shelter, recruiting 7 clients, all whom were people of color, including black, Latino and South Asian communities, 2 people who identify on the masculine spectrum and 5 people who identify on the feminine spectrum; and all of whom are survivors of domestic violence. Participants were interested in how STIs were transmitted, and how HIV is treated.

They were also concerned about other health matters, such as breast/chest cancer screening, prostate screening. Participants said they wished they knew this information earlier.  Only 3 of the participants knew about PrEP, one of whom was already taking PrEP, and the rest were interested in obtaining PrEP.

Resources

If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence and needs help, they can use the following resources:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline 
  • 1.800.799.7233
  • 24/7 hotline - 7 days a week 
• NYC LGBTQI+ Anti-Violence Project (AVP) 
  • 1.212.714.1141
  • 24/7 hotline - 7 days a week 
• The Trevor Project: Youth Experiencing Violence 
  • 1.877.565.8860
  • 24/7 hotline - 7 days a week