Violence Recovery Program
The Violence Recovery Program (VRP) at Fenway Health was founded in 1986 and was formerly known as the "Victim Recovery Program." The VRP provides counseling, support groups, advocacy, and referral services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) victims of bias crime, domestic violence, sexual assault, and police misconduct.
Our mission
- To provide services to LGBT victims who have experienced
interpersonal violence as well as information and support to friends, family,
and partners of survivors
- To raise awareness of how LGBT hate crime and domestic
violence affects our communities through compiling statistics about these
crimes
- To ensure that LGBT victims of violence are treated with
sensitivity and respect by providing trainings and consultations with service
providers and community agencies across the state
Our services
Counseling
Support Groups
Advocacy
Trainings
Legal Services
Financial Services
Learn more about the issues we help people with:
Domestic Violence
Hate Crime
Police Misconduct
For Friends and Family of Survivors
Tips for Safe Dating
Internet Precautions
Counseling
It’s important to know that many people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event have a range of feelings and reactions. While each person will have their own experiences, many survivors feel frightened, overwhelmed, angry, numb, depressed, or irritable. Difficulty sleeping, being afraid to go out, or finding that it hard to stop thinking about the incident are also some responses survivors often share. To help with these feelings and reactions we provide short-term counseling and support to survivors in person or over the phone. Many survivors find that talking about their experiences with a supportive counselor to be an important part of recovery. We can also help coordinate longer-term therapy through our behavioral health department.
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Support Groups
Interpersonal violence, in any of its forms, can be a very isolating experience. For this reason, the act of giving and getting support with others with similar experiences can be a powerful part of healing. Groups also offer a chance to learn information and explore skills that can help to better cope. The groups start throughout the year, depending on enrollment. All groups are free and require an intake. The intake is a chance to discuss concerns with the group leader and determine if the group best meets your needs at this time. For more information about the groups or to schedule an intake, please call (617-927-6250).
Read more about our support groups.
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Advocacy
Crime survivors have legal rights when working with the police department, the district attorney’s office, and the court system. Unfortunately, the criminal justice and social service systems can be confusing and overwhelming. By using our experience with these systems, contacts with sensitive officials, and explaining what to expect, we try to make the decisions about reporting crime, prosecuting offenders, and getting support services as straightforward as possible.
We offer:
- Information about your choices and rights.
- Direction to sensitive police officers if you decide to file charges.
- Advocacy for investigation and prosecution of your case
- Court accompaniment for your case
- Accompaniment and assistance obtaining a restraining order.
- Assistance pursuing financial compensation to which you may be entitled, including for medical and counseling bills, or lost wages.
You also have the right to be free from harassment and discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, and public school programs. We can help you assert these rights and work to see that your concerns are taken seriously.
For helpful community resources, click here: (community resources page)
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Documentation/Reporting
The Violence Recovery Program is committed to raising awareness of LGBT hate crimes and domestic violence. We compile statewide statistics on anti-gay hate crime and same-sex domestic violence so we can more accurately reflect the magnitude and nature of these crimes and how they affect our communities. You can help by calling us and anonymously reporting any incident you face or witness, whether or not you want to access our services. In collaboration with the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, we release annual reports based on these statistics.
Why report?
- To get the help you deserve: the VRP can document the incident and help with counseling and advocacy.
- To document the crime: It is critical to document the ongoing harassment and violence against the LGBT communities. Attempting to capture the true extent of the violence against our communities prevents it from being minimized and allows us to more effectively advocate for survivor services and institutional changes.
- To prosecute perpetrators: Prosecution may stop a perpetrator from committing these crimes in the future. It may also help a survivor to find and feel a sense of justice. Filing a police report is the first step.
- To deter other possible perpetrators-If the crime goes unpunished, it may send the message that this type of violence is okay. If there are similar crimes, reporting could allow the police to connect the evidence and prosecute the crimes.
- To receive compensation from the Victim Compensation Program
This fund is available to reimburse victims or surviving family members for out of pocket expenses related to the crime. These can include: medical, dental, counseling, or lost wages. In order to be eligible, a police report needs to be filed. The VRP can help with this application process. The decision to report a crime to the police is always left up to the survivor of the crime
To anonymously report hate crime or same-sex domestic violence, call the VRP at
1-800-834-3242
For more information about our partnership with the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs- http://www.ncavp.org/
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Training and Education
The Violence Recovery program is committed to providing training and consultation to help organizations and providers understand and respond to the needs of LGBT individuals affected by violence. We offer trainings to: police departments, criminal justice officials, service providers, medical caregivers, and community groups. We also consult with service providers across the state to ensure that LGBT victims of violence are treated with sensitivity and respect. If you are interested
Trainings may include but are not limited to:
- The Dynamics and Issues in Recognizing and Treating Same Sex Domestic Violence;
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues 101;
- Treating Sexual Violence against Men and Boys;
- Considerations for Trauma Recovery when working with LGBT clients;
- Case Based Consultation.
For more information on trainings call-617-927-6250
Legal Services
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders
1.800.455.GLAD
Members of the GLBT community can call the GLAD hotline to discus their situations and find out how the law protects gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people, and people with HIV. The can obtain information on how to defend their rights, where and how to file a discrimination claim, and get referrals to experienced and friendly attorneys. GLAD can also provide links to other resources sympathetic to GLBT and HIV issues.
GLBT Domestic Violence Attorney Program
at 617.779.2130
The GLBT Domestic Violence Attorney Program offers legal advice, referrals, and representation to low-income survivors. All services are free and confidential and available to clients regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Services include assistance with: restraining orders, immigration and gaining legal status, divorce, child custody, child & spousal support, and paternity, and applying for public housing or transferring to another local and requesting a leave of absence due to domestic violence.
Massachusetts Transgender Legal Advocates at
617.450.1353
Massachusetts Transgender Legal Advocates is a small group of law students and lawyers committed to addressing the needs of low-income transgender people in Massachusetts. MTLA recognizes that a lack of public awareness about trans people can make it difficult to navigate the legal system. MTLA’s legal team is composed of trans folks and their significant others, family, and friends. Whether it involves talking you through a process, helping you to find an attorney you can afford, or addressing your issue ourselves, MTLA will do what we can to address your legal needs. After visiting MTLA, expect to know within one week whether MTLA can take your case. We will do our best to find someone else to take it if we cannot.
Greater Boston Legal Services at 1.617.371.1234
Great Boston Legal Services (GBLS) provides free civil (noncriminal) legal assistance to low-income people in Boston and thirty-one additional cities and towns. The help we offer ranges from legal advice to full case representation.
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)
1.617.994.6000 (Boston)
1.413.2145 (Springfield)
The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination’s (MCAD’s) mission is to ensure equality of opportunity by enforcing the Commonwealth’s anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, mortgage lending, and education. (does this cost money for victims/survivors?)
Victim Rights Law Center at 617.399.6720 or 877.758.8132
The VRLC represents victims of sexual assault of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Their goal is to give sexual assault survivors the legal information they need to reclaim their lives. All services are free and confidential.
Financial Services
Victims Compensation
Phone: Application for Massachusetts program: 617.727.2200,
For eligibility info: 617.748.3140, U.S. Attorney's Office Victim-Witness Specialist
Website: www.mass.gov
Services: Provides financial assistance to eligible victims of violent crime and their families. Through this program reimbursement may be made for certain expenses to the extent that private insurance, public assistance, or other funds do not cover the cost. The crime must have been reported to the police within five days unless there is good cause for delay. Applications must be filed within three years of the date of the crime.
Assistance covers Medical expenses, including hospital, ambulance, rehabilitation services, equipment, supplies and medications; Dental expenses; Mental health counseling for victims, for family members of homicide victims, and for children who witness violence against a family member; Funeral and burial expenses up to $4,000; Lost wages (for victims only); Loss of income for dependents of homicide victims; and Homemaker expenses. Property losses, compensation for pain and suffering and all other losses are not covered by the Victim Compensation Program. Under the Massachusetts Victim Compensation Program, the maximum award allowed is $25,000 per crime.
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You are not alone!
For help or information call the Violence Recovery Program at 617.927.6250
or 1.800.834.3242 (toll free in MA).
After 5:00 pm or on the weekends, call Safelink at 877.785.2020
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Sponsored by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA), the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)/National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), Bell Atlantic, and the City of Boston.
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