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OBSTACLES TO ACCESSING
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
Survivors of IPV often need access to supportive services, includ-
ing shelters, emergency medical care, mental health counseling,
police and legal services. Unfortunately, LGBTQ people often
experience challenges in accessing these services. Health centers
and individual providers ought to be aware of these potential
barriers and be prepared to help clients find LGBTQ-inclusive
supports.
Tips for Screening and Referral
• Screen clients in private, without others in the room; do not assume that
a same-gender person who accompanies a patient is a friend or relative
instead of an intimate partner
• Several effective IPV screening tools are available.7,8 The Partner Violence
Screen9 is one recommended gender-inclusive screening instrument:
1. Have you been hit, kicked, punched, or otherwise hurt by
someone in the past year? If so, by whom?
2. Do you feel safe in your current relationship?
3. Is there a partner from a previous relationship who is making you
feel unsafe now?
• When patients screen positive:
¡ Respond with compassion: “Thank you for telling me.” “You are
not alone.” “We can help.”
¡ Offer help and information about creating a safety plan6
¡ Refer patients to LGBTQ-inclusive IPV treatment and advocacy
resources in the community, as available, and provide follow-up
¡ Recognize that patients may have legitimate concerns about anti-
LGBTQ- bias when accessing services; respect a patient’s wish to
not disclose their LGBTQ identity to referral partners
¡ Screen for and treat health issues associated with IPV in LGBTQ
people (e.g., substance use disorders and HIV/STIs)10
• Become familiar with the national IPV services listed in the Resources section
