THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	218
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

Requesting the Department of human services to develop lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus specific training guidelines for intimate partner violence agencies that serve and assist LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, PLUS survivors.

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes intimate partner violence as a serious, preventable problem that includes physical violence, sexual violence, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner; and

WHEREAS, many survivors of intimate partner violence experience long-term physical and psychological health effects, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) individuals experience physical and sexual intimate partner violence at a higher rate than heterosexual individuals but are less likely to report it; and

WHEREAS, there are help seeking barriers specific to LGBTQ+ survivors; and

WHEREAS, there is limited understanding of LGBTQ+ intimate partner violence such as unique manipulation and control tactics from their abusers; and

WHEREAS, many LGBTQ+ victims feel further victimized by intimate partner violence shelters, first responders, and health care providers due to ignorance, insensitivity, and bias; and

WHEREAS, this translates into a large number of LGBTQ+ victims who are left without sources of support; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Department of Human Services is requested to develop LGBTQ+ specific training guidelines for intimate partner violence agencies that serve and assist LGBTQ+ survivors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Service is requested to obtain input for the training guidelines from relevant advocates and professionals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the intimate partner violence agencies that serve and assist LGBTQ+ survivors are requested to receive the training guidelines developed by the Department of Human Services so as to better address the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services, Director of Health, Attorney General, Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court, Chief of the Honolulu Police Department, Chief of the Maui Police Department, Chief of the Kauai Police Department, and Chief of the Hawaii Police Department.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Intimate Partner Violence; LGBTQ+; Training; Department of Human Services