Project: Lesbian Domestic Abuse Helpline (Linea Lesbica e Antiviolenza)
Promoted by: Lesbiche Bologna APS
Violence in Lesbian Relationships: A Basic Guide – Toolkit
This fold-out toolkit, produced by Lesbiche Bologna’s Lesbian Domestic Abuse Helpline, is a basic guide to recognizing violence within lesbian, trans, non-binary and bisexual women’s relationships — a phenomenon the association calls “invisible violence.” It covers the helpline’s free, confidential support service; how violence manifests specifically in LBT* relationships (physical, sexual, psychological, economic, digital, stalking, outing threats, denial of gender identity/orientation); an “iceberg” model showing how lesbo-bi-transphobic violence ranges from jokes and stereotypes to institutional violence and femicide/lesbicide/transicide; common myths that discourage disclosure (e.g., “there can’t be violence without physical size difference”); the barriers that keep survivors silent (fear of stigmatizing the LGBTQIA+ community, fear of losing one’s identity, fear of isolating the abuser); and practical guidance for anti-violence workers, friends, or loved ones on how to welcome and support someone disclosing abuse.
