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CHILD ABUSE SUPPORT
What is child abuse?
Any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child
Source: NIH
Recognize the Signs
Signs of child abuse or neglect include:
Unexplained injuries, such as bruises
Extreme behaviors, such as excessive crying, truancy or running away
Poor hygiene and unsuitable clothing
Excessive fear of parent(s), caregiver(s) or going home
Depression or excessive crying
Poor peer relationships or inability to relate to children of the same age
Sudden change in behavior
Constant hunger, tiredness or lack of energy
Attention-seeking behaviors
Find more information about signs of abuse HERE & HERE
Source: Nationwide Children's
Child Abuse Resources
National Child Abuse Hotline: They can provide local referrals for services. A centralized call center provides the caller with the option of talking with or texting a counselor. They are also connected to a language line that can provide service in over 140 languages. Call or text hotline: 800.422.4453
Darkness to Light: They provide crisis intervention and referral services to children or people affected by sexual abuse of children. Hotline calls are automatically routed to a local center. Helpline: 866.FOR.LIGHT (367.5444)
Cyber Tipline: This Tipline is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Can be used to communicate information to the authorities about child pornography or child sex trafficking. Hotline: 800.THE.LOST (843.5678)
National Children’s Alliance: This organization represents the national network of Child Advocacy Centers (CAC). CACs are a multidisciplinary team of law enforcement, mental and physical health practitioners who investigate instances of child physical and sexual abuse. Their website explains the process and has a directory according to geographic location.
Stop It Now: Provides information to victims and parents/relatives/friends of child sexual abuse. The site also has resources for offender treatment as well as information on recognizing the signs of child sexual abuse. Hotline: 888-PREVENT (773.8368)
Justice for Children: Provides a full range of advocacy services for abused and neglected children.
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
What is intimate partner violence?
Intimate partner violence refers to behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours. This definition covers violence by both current and former spouses and partners.
Source: Violence Info
Recognizing Signs of Abuse
Does your partner...
Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?
Put down your accomplishments?
Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?
Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?
Tell you that you are nothing without them?
Treat you roughly—grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you?
Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?
Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?
Blame you for how they feel or act?
Pressure you sexually for things you aren’t ready for?
Make you feel like there is “no way out” of the relationship?
Prevent you from doing things you want – like spending time with friends or family?
Try to keep you from leaving after a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight to “teach you a lesson”?
Do you...
Sometimes feel scared of how your partner may behave?
Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner’s behaviour?
Believe that you can help your partner change if only you changed something about yourself?
Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?
Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of what you want?
Stay with your partner because you are afraid of what your partner would do if you broke up?
Always remember...
NO ONE deserves to be abused. The abuse is not your fault. You are not alone.
DON’T worry about threats to your visa. We have information about visa options for your situation.
DON’T worry if you do not speak the local language. We can get you help in many Languages.
Source: UN
Concerned for someone else?
How you can help victims of domestic abuse?
Listen and believe the abused person to let them know they are not alone.
Encourage them to seek support through a confidential hotline to connect with a professional in the field.
Express concern for them, show support, and offer referrals to available resources.
Note: Keep in mind that a survivor often makes several attempts to leave the abusive relationship before succeeding.
Recognize the Signal
This signal is used discreetly to represent that the person is facing violence in the home or is in distress, such as being kidnapped, sex trafficked or in any unsafe situation and need help. The signal is performed by holding your hand up with your thumb tucked into your palm, then folding your fingers down, symbolically trapping your thumb in your fingers. If you see someone use this signal, call 911 immediately
Intimate Partner Violence Resources
National Domestic Violence Hotline: Through this hotline an advocate can provide local direct service resources (safe house shelters, transportation, casework assistance) and crisis intervention. Interpreter services available in 170 languages. They also partner with the Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Center to provide a videophone option. Hotline: 800.799.SAFE
National Teen Dating Abuse Online Helpline: This online helpline assists teens who are, or may be, in abusive relationships.
National Coalition against Domestic Violence: The national coalition of Domestic Violence organizations is dedicated to empowering victims and changing society to a zero tolerance policy.
National Sexual Assault Hotline: National hotline, operated by RAINN, that serves people affected by sexual violence. It automatically routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search your local center here. Hotline: 800.656.HOPE
National Sexual Violence Resource Center: This site offers a wide variety of information relating to sexual violence including a large legal resource library.
National Organization for Victim Assistance: Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States as the recognized leader in this noble cause.
National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women: VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence hosts a resource library home of thousands of materials on violence against women and related issues, with particular attention to its intersections with various forms of oppression.
*Find more information and resources surrounding sexual violence in the "Sexual & Repro. Health" section
LGBTQ+ HEALTH
What does LGBTQ+ mean?
LGBTQIA+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more. These terms are used to describe a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
How To Be An Ally
Be open to learn, listen and educate yourself. Take it upon yourself to learn about LGBTQ+ history, terminology, and the struggles that the community still faces today.
Recognize your privilege. Being privileged doesn't mean that you have not had your fair share of struggles in life. It just means that there are some things you won't ever have to think or worry about just because of the way you were born. Understanding your own privileges can help you empathize with marginalized or oppressed groups.
Don't assume. Don't assume that all of your friends, co-workers, and even housemates are straight. Don't assume someone's gender or pronouns. LGBTQ+ people don't look a particular way and someone's current or previous partner(s) doesn't define their sexuality. Not making assumptions gives people the space they need to be their authentic self and open up to you in their own time.
Think of 'ally' as an action rather than a label. To be an effective ally you need to be willing to be consistent in your support of LGBTQ+ rights and defend LGBTQ+ people against discrimination. Anti-LGBTQ+ comments and jokes are harmful - let your friends, family and co-workers know that as an ally you find them offensive.
Confront your own prejudice and unconscious bias. Being an ally means you will often find that you need to challenge any bias, stereotypes, and assumptions you didn't realize you had. Think about the jokes you make, the pronouns you use and if you wrongly assume someone's partner is of a particular sex or gender just because of the way they look and act. LGBTQ+ prejudices can be subtle and transphobia and biphobia exist even within the LGBTQ+ community. Being a better ally means being open to the idea of being wrong sometimes and being willing to work on it.
Know that language matters. The majority of us respect when someone changes their nickname – accommodating LGBTQ+ people’s names and pronouns are no different. If you are unsure of someone’s pronoun or label, just ask them respectfully. When meeting new people try integrating inclusive language into your regular conversations by using gender neutral terms such as ‘partner’ and keep an eye on any unintentionally offensive language you may use everyday.
Know that you will mess up sometimes. Accidentally assumed someone’s label? Having a conversation about someone who is trans or non-binary, and unintentionally used the wrong pronoun? It happens - don’t panic, apologize, and correct yourself. Likely, the person you are talking to will know that this process of unlearning is new to you and will appreciate your honesty and effort!
*Information from UCL
Terminology
Learn all about LGBTQ+ terminology HERE. Feel free to reference this whenever you encounter a word you don't know or just to learn more about gender and sexuality related terms!
General Resources
LA Gay and Lesbian Center - The LA Gay & Lesbian Center provides a broad array of services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, welcoming nearly a quarter-million client visits from ethnically diverse youth and adults each year. The Center also offers legal, social, cultural, and educational services, with unique programs for seniors, families and youth, including a 24-bed transitional program for homeless youth. Located at 1625 N. Schrader Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028; (323) 993-7400.
LA Gender Center - The Los Angeles Gender Center provides sensitive transsexual counseling and transgender therapy, psychotherapy, and counseling to individuals and groups.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - HRC is a LGBT civil rights organization, and publishes the annual HRC Report Card, which measures how LGBT-friendly businesses and organizations are.
Transgender Health Resources
Crisis Resources
The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386
If you are thinking about harming yourself — get immediate support. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers. Call us if you need someone trans to talk to, even if you’re not in a crisis or if you’re not sure you’re trans.
LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
Provides telephone and email peer-counseling, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States. They help youth and adults with coming-out issues, safer-sex information, school bullying, family concerns, relationship problems, and a lot more
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs: 212-714-1141
The AVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within LGBTQ communities.
LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743
As part of the LGBT national Help Center, they provide a confidential safe space where youth can speak about sexual orientation or gender identity/expression issues
DeHQ: LGBTQ Helpline for South Asians: 908-367-3374
100% confidential support for South Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, non-binary, questioning individuals in the United States. They can help with questions on gender, identity, coming out, dealing with family, culture, or faith, trying to find community in your area, advice for a friend or family member or listening as you work through things
ACADEMIC HEALTH
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HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
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BULLYING PREVENTION & REPORTING
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ONLINE SAFETY
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GROOMING AWARENESS
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CHALLENGE SUCCESS
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HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Coming Soon!