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Survivors who identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) experience severe forms of discrimination when seeking help for domestic violence and sexual assault. Court systems often fail to take into account the unique vulnerabilities presented by LGBTQ cases, leaving room for batterers to continue methods of control and coercion even during criminal prosecution or with civil protection orders in place. In this area of the website, judges can find resources and information on how to address LGBTQ domestic violence and sexual assault in individual cases and at the system level.

What Judges Need to Know about Domestic Violence in the LGBTQ Community

Presented by: Prof. Todd Brower of the Williams Institute and Judge Elizabeth Berns

This webinar addresses some of the fundamentals about LGBTQ domestic violence, tactics of abuse, and proper judicial engagement with LGBTQ litigants.

What Judges Need to Know about Domestic Violence in the Transgender Community

Presented by: Prof. Todd Brower of the Williams Institute and Judge Elizabeth Berns

This webinar addresses the dynamics of domestic violence in transgender relationships, transgender culture, tactics of control, and effective judicial response to trans survivors. This webinar also includes information on elevated vulnerability factors for trans litigants, including suicidality.