The Saint Louis Anti-Violence Project has conducted field research talking to local LGBTQIA+ survivors of violence about their experiences, provided training to local anti-violence and violence prevention agencies to become more LGBTQIA+ inclusive, and have established ourselves as advocates for LGBTQIA+ survivors of violence within anti-violence communities.

In 2010, a group of activists came together to end domestic violence in LGBTQIA+ communities. The group quickly grew and became the St. Louis LGBTQIA+ Anti-Violence Task Force in 2012. St. Louis Anti-Violence Project (STLAVP) originated in 2013 when we began pre-incorporation with a study which surveyed LGBTQIA+ survivors of domestic violence. By 2015, the agency incorporated and began surveying the community every five years. In 2018, when we did the follow up survey, this research was the largest survey to date of LGBTQIA+ survivors in the region and was published by the Harvard Kennedy School. We used this direct community research, other research, our own lived experiences (most of the board are members of the LGBTQIA+ community and survivors of domestic violence), and what we learned through direct work in the community to create a training program we could bring to various organizations to engage better with LGBTQIA+ survivors of domestic violence.

STLAVP Day of Giving

Saint Louis Anti-Violence Project