Treatment and Service Interventions for Lesbian and Gay Male Crime Victims

Abstract

This article describes the development of the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) since 1980. After a brief historical overview of the emergence of the victims' modern crime movement and a discussion of how the gay and lesbian victims' movement is related to it, AVP's treatment and service interventions are described. These include crisis intervention immediately after an attack and a wide variety of follow-up services, including short-term professional counseling, peer counseling, and group counseling. The AVP also provides advocacy services, including police advocacy, court monitoring, and advocacy with other human service organizations. In describing the AVP's activities, the article highlights unique problems faced by lesbian and gay survivors of assault.