Are you in a relationship that feels unfair? Groups now forming.

Does your partner......put you down?...physically hurt you?...pressure you into sex?...threaten to “out” you?...control you financially? If you answered yes to any of these questions, support groups are now forming.

Men's Support Group for msm, gay, bisexual, and queer men, and trans individuals, contact Arryn Hawthorne-Jader, 773-388-8882.

Women's Support Group for wsw, lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, and trans individuals, contact Jillian Dronfield, 773-388-8908.

Do not hide. Do not keep silent. Do not feel shame.

Learn to recognize violence: it does not always come with bruises. Words and actions can be just as harmful. If you are currently experiencing any type of violence, or have experienced violence in the past, we are here to help. Whether it’s domestic violence, violence from an acquaintance, or violence in the community, talk to us.

Not talking about it does not make it go away.

Howard Brown’s Violence Recovery Project (VRP) offers comprehensive services to victims of domestic, interpersonal, and community violence. The VRP provides a safe space that integrates gender identity, sexuality and sexual orientation issues with healing from violence. Our providers are trained in LGBT culturally competent treatment of all types of trauma. Services are confidential and offered on a sliding scale basis; group and individual counseling available. In addition, several clinicians are trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing ), a highly effective treatment  for distress related to traumatic events.

Domestic Violence

LGBT domestic violence occurs when one person uses a pattern of abusive behavior to get and maintain power and control over their partner. This abusive behavior can be emotional, verbal, sexual and/or physical – and it usually increases in frequency and severity over time. It is estimated that partner abuse occurs in one out of three LGBT relationships, the same rate as in heterosexual relationships.

Howard Brown provides refuge for survivors of domestic violence. These services address the unique issues LGBTQ survivors face. Our program also provides prevention services and community education.

If this is an emergency, please call the Anti-Violence Crisis Hotline at the Center on Halsted (773-871-CARE) and the City of Chicago's Domestic Violence Help Line (877-863-6338 voice / 877-863-6339 TTY). These numbers may be called 24 hours/365 days a year.

For more information

For more information, please contact our Violence Recovery Program Coordinator at (773) 388-8882, or vrp@howardbrown.org.

Funding for the VRP generously donated by Department of Human Services, Cubs Care and Avon Foundation.