Starting late next month, the Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center will offer a support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender survivors of intimate partner violence.
The 10-week group is free and will help survivors connect with each other and begin finding ways to heal in a safe environment.
This kind of violence can take months and even years to overcome, according to a county news release.
Many LGBT survivors, in particular, do not come forward or seek help. They may not reach out because they are afraid of discrimination and ridicule or because they worry people won’t believe them.
For more information, call Alachua County Victim Advocate Therapist Jennifer Heard at 352-264-6737.