The above depiction of the cycle of Domestic Violence is used with permission from
the Domestic Violence Hotline, who adapted it from the
2011 Duluth Model Power and Control Wheels by Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs

Domestic violence is a scourge on our entire society.  It does not matter what your race, sexual identity or orientation, ethinic origin or socio-economic status might be.  More importantly, there is never an excuse for committing acts of violence on anyone whatsoever.

According to the National Domestic Violence Abuse:

 Abusive partners in LGBTQ relationships use all the same tactics to gain power and control as abusive partners in heterosexual relationships — physical, sexual or emotional abuse, financial control, isolation and more.

But abusive partners in LGBTQ relationships also reinforce their tactics that maintain power and control with societal factors that compound the complexity a survivor faces in leaving or getting safe in an LGBTQ relationship.

If you find yourself in an abusive intimate relationship (whether the abuse is physical, sexual or emotional), please do whatever you need to do to protect yourself.

In Kentucky, someone in an abusive relationship who is married, have a child in common or living together -- regardless of the parties' gender or sexual orientation -- can take out an EPO (Emergency Protective Order).  If you are in an abusive relationship but you and your abuser are not sharing a residence, you can still seek protection by taking out an IPO (Interpersonal Protective Order).  Please see our other webpages addressing the subject of Domestic Violence.

In the greater Louisville area, victims of domestic violence can seek help at the Center for Women and Families, whose mission statement states:

" No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, language proficiency, disability, veteran status, political affiliation or belief, be discriminated against or denied services as a participant in any Center program.

The Center for Women and Families has five regional locations serving nine Kentuckiana counties: Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties in Kentucky and Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana. See below for locations and contact information. Toll-Free 24-Hour Crisis Line:
1.844.BE.SAFE.1
(1-844-237-2331)

Other LGBTQ Legal Issues:

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and non-heterosexual couples and individuals have other significant legal issues besides dependency, abuse and neglect cases, such as:

• Same-sex marriage and divorce
• Issues affecting children and the LGBTQ community
  • Custody
  • Parenting rights
  • Social Services ("CPS")
  • Adoption
  • Surrogacy and Artificial Insemination
• Property and real estate rights of unmarried couples versus married couples
• Elder law and estate planning for the LGBTQ community
• Employment discrimination and equal rights
• Domestic violence in the LGBTQ community
• Drug, alcohol and substance abuse in the LGBTQ community
• Mental Health Issues