National Leather Association: Columbus and BRAVO,
Domestic Violence Project.

If you are in a crisis situation or you feel you are in immediate danger, STOP reading and dial 911 or call 1-866-862-7286 for help!

NLA:CO and BRAVO have joined together in a project to promote Domestic Violence Awareness in the BDSM/Leather/Scene Community. Domestic violence in these comminutes is often unrecognized or unreported. The following information is provided as a service to these communities and the larger GLBT community. If you, or someone you know is in a situation that you are unsure of or that you feel places them, or you, in harms way you can use the resources provided or you can ask a question of our professional panel.

Before you ask a question please read through the following information and resources.

To see the difference between
Consentsual BDSM versus Abuse
Emergency Phone Numbers
If you have a question		 What is Domestic Violence?

A pattern of action and behaviours that are coercive, manipulative, and isolating; a pattern that is used to maintain power and control within a relationship. DV can include but is not limited to physical attacks - it can also involve verbal abuse, emotional cruelty, controling of finances, sexual assault and/or physical attacks

If You Are:

Choosing to Play But feeling Unsafe........
Feeling Pressured to Play against your will...........
Or Experiencing any form of Domestic Violence

Know that you do not cause abuse to happen

You don't have to be isolated - develope a support network, call an abuse hotline, or join a support group.

Document and report abusive incidents - dates, locations, what is said and done, witnesses, medical records, police reports, pictures of injuries, medical treatment. Keep all documents in a safe place where your abuser will not have access to them

Make safety plans to protect yourself at home, in your car, and at work. Remember that a protection order may help but it is not foolproof.

Making a Safety Plan

If you are experiencing abuse in your current relationship, think about making a safety paln for escaping the situation if necessary. Remember that leaving is a process, the first time you leave may be permanent, but if it is temporary, don't give up. Also, remember that when an abuser's control is threatened, the violence may escalate. Leaving can be a dangerous time.

1) Think about when to leave
It may not be a good idea to announce that you are leaving, or to leave during a fight, since the loss of control makes some abusers more violent. Some leave when the abuser is asleep or not at home. If you think you might have to leave suddenly, make sure you have things packed so you can easily grab everything and go.

2) You can protect yourself while planning by phone.
If your partner used auto redial to check on you, call somewhere else immediately after you finish calls with shelters or other agencies. If s/he uses *69 to check on who has called you, when you finish a private call, call a friend and have them call you right back.

3) What will you say if s/he ask's you to stay?
How might your partner persuade you to stay? Has this happened before? What will you say or do to get past these things?

4) Where could you go?
Think of places where your partner could not find you, and people who will keep your whereabouts a secret. If you stay with a friend, park your car in their garage, or move it away from the house. If you stay in a hotel, register under a fake name. Find out which shelters are closest and remember that they sometimes have waiting lists.

5) What would you take with you?
Which if these will you need? Personal Items: keys, address book, pager/cell phone, medicine, money (coins for pay phones/bus fare), extra keys (house/car), extra clothes, sentimental valuables (photos,jewelry, a childs favorite toy or book). Documents: copy of protection order, bank books, check books, insurance policies, marriage license, divorce/custody papers, birth certificates, passport/green card, picture ID (drivers license, welfare ID card), social security card.