Supporting Queer Youth
All of KCAVP's services are free and confidential.
Are you an LGBTQ youth? You deserve to feel safe! If you have experienced violence, chat with an advocate on Facebook messenger or email us at info@kcavp.org. If you are 13 years old or over, you can talk to us confidentially without your parents' consent.
Types of Violence
Dating Abuse: Dating abuse affects LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) relationships as frequently and severely as it does in non-LGBTQ relationships. Dating abuse occurs in one out of four relationships, regardless of being LGBTQ or not. The abuse may begin as verbal attacks and can escalate into physical violence that can be life-threatening. Also known as dating violence and teen dating violence.
Hate Crimes: Hate crimes are crimes committed against people or their property of out of hatred for who the are or who people think they are. These acts are based on prejudice against a particular group and on the perpetrator's assumptions about the victim's identity. Hate crimes are not only meant to hurt the victim, but are also meant to send a message of hate to the community.
Sexual Violence: Sexual violence refers to crimes such as sexual assault, rape, child sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. Sexual violence can happen to anyone. Size, weight, and perceived masculinity or femininity are not indicators of whether a person will be a victim. To the person who commits assault, sexual violence is about power and control, not about sexual attraction.
Stalking: Stalking is obsessive behavior or persistent harassment with harmful intention. It may start as annoying or obscene phone calls, text, emails, or letters. Actions can seem harmless at first but they can quickly become threatening. It can escalate into verbal and physical threats or even unwanted visits at home, school, or work.
Ways To Get Help
If you are a victim of violence, you can get help. Do what makes sense to you and will help you feel safe.
Here are some things you can try:
Talk to a parent, relative, friend, counselor, religious leader or someone else you trust.
Get support from other survivors.
Get legal advice from a knowledgeable source.
Look for resources online for LGBTQ survivors.
Have positive thoughts about yourself and be clear about your needs.
Read books, articles, and poems to help you feel stronger.
KCAVP can provide you with free and confidential services:
Crisis intervention
Case management
Referrals
School, police, legal, and medical advocacy
Emergency housing and assistance
Counseling
Incident documentation