User:Odandyo

History of The Network/La Red The Network/La Red was formed in 1989 when a group of formerly battered lesbians came together to address domestic violence in lesbian and bisexual women's communities in Boston. Initially the group worked to educate the community and existing programs/resources for battered women about the existence of woman-to-woman battering and the need for programs to address it. In 1991, the group incorporated under the name New England Women's Support, Inc. d/b/a The Network for Battered Lesbians. The Network changed its name to the Network for Battered Lesbians and Bisexual Women in 1996, and in 2000 to The Network/La Red: Ending abuse in lesbian, bisexual women's, and transgender communities.

Direct services began in 1992 with an ongoing support group. In 1993 the hotline opened, in 1998 the safe home program began sheltering LBT folks, and in 2000 the advocacy program was added.

The Network/La Red has become a national resource and model for battered women's programs, batterer intervention programs, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender organizations beginning to address battering in lesbian, bisexual women's, and transgender relationships. We take requests from individuals, groups, researchers, and media from all over the United States and around the world seeking technical assistance and information on battering in lesbian, bisexual women, and transgender communities.

The Network/La Red is a founding member of the Boston area GLBT Domestic Violence Coalition, and a member of the National Coalition of Anti Violence Programs (NCAVP), National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Jane Doe, Inc./Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, GLBT Advisory Board to the Boston Police Commissioner, LGBT Youth Issues Committee, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, and the Advocacy Review Team.

Mission The Network/La Red was formed to address battering in lesbian, bisexual women's, and transgender communities. Through a) the formation of a community-based multi-cultural organization in which battered/formerly battered lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender folks hold leadership roles; b) community organizing, education, and the provision of support services; and c) coalition-building with other movements for social change and social justice, we seek to create a culture in which domination, coercion, and control are no longer accepted and operative social norms.

Services All services are free and confidential.

In 1992, The Network/La Red began to offer free services for abused lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender (LBT) folks. Today these services have expanded and include a Hotline, Safe Home program, Advocacy program, and Organizing/Outreach program. All services are bilingual and wheelchair- & TTY-accessible. ASL interpreters, air filters, and reimbursement for child-care are available as needed.

Hotline (617) 742-4911 voice 617-227-4911 TTY the hotline provides confidential support, information, and referrals to LBT partner abuse survivors..

Emergency Shelter program provides emergency shelter to abused lesbian, bisexual women, and transgender folks (LBT) and their children. This was the first emergency shelter project in Massachusetts set up for the particular safety and cultural needs of LBT communities.

The Advocacy program consists of advocates and support group, safety planning, court accompaniment, information, referral, and assistance accessing other social/legal/medical/housing services.

The Visibility Campaign provides community education through workshops, training, events, and brochures. We also provide workshops, consultation and technical assistance on LBT domestic violence, homophobia/biphobia/transphobia, and other oppressions to a variety of professional, social, community, medical, and legal groups. The program produces a newsletter, web site, educational/informational pamphlets/audiotapes on LBT domestic violence, and maintains a resource library on lesbian/bisexual women/transgender abuse.

Contact The Network/La Red Ending abuse in lesbian, bisexual women's and transgender communities

Hotline 617-742-4911 TTY 617-227-4911 PO Box 6011 Boston, MA 02114 Office 617-695-0877 Fax 617-423-5651 info@thenetworklared.org www.tnlr.org