Anti-violence and advocacy for victims are at the heart of our work at Triangle Foundation.  We serve individuals and families that have survived instances of physical and emotional abuse and we advocate for justice for those who have died at the hands of hate.

Working for Survivors
The Department of Victim Services (DVS) offers free and confidential support to victims of hate crimes, harassment, discrimination, domestic violence, HIV-related violence, police misconduct and pick-up crimes.  We offer crisis intervention, personal support and advocacy, and referrals to LGBT culturally competent attorneys, counselors and social service agencies.  We also provide criminal justice support and advocacy.  

Working to End Violence
The DVS is a social change and social service program that works to address and end violence in the lives of LGBT and HIV-affected people.  Violence is any act or situation where a person or group harms others, denies them the right to be who they are, or hurts their quality of life.  Violence can be direct, such as assault, or it can be indirect, such as being fired because you are gay.  Both can be devastating to an individual and to a community.

The DVS takes active steps to confront violence and create a new society of acceptance and equality.  We collect statewide statistics for publication in the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Annual Hate Crimes Report.  We participate in community activism.  We engage law enforcement and social service agencies to ensure quality and culturally-appropriate resources and services for LGBT and HIV-affected individuals.  We also educate social service providers, law enforcement officials, and the community-at-large to promote understanding, sensitivity, and inclusion.

Bias Crimes
Bias crimes, also known as hate crimes, are committed against a person, group or community because of who they are or who they are perceived to be by the perpetrator or perpetrators.  To be classified as a hate crime, there must first be a crime.  Second, the motivation for the crime must be against a group protected under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.  The fact that the LGBT and HIV-affected communities are not protected under this act results in most crimes against the community not being classified as hate crimes, but sometimes bias crimes.

Specific to bias crimes, we provide criminal justice support and advocacy, including accompaniment during all phases of criminal prosecution from filing a police report to post-sentencing procedures.  We also provide assistance with the Crime Victim Compensation Application.  Our goal is to provide information, support and advocacy so that survivors may participate in a meaningful way in the legal justice system.


Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is as serious a problem for LGBT individuals as it is for heterosexuals.  Domestic violence occurs in 25-33% of relationships involving LGBT persons.  Victims of domestic violence suffer from a range of physical and emotional abuse, including physical violence, intimidation, isolation, threats, sexual abuse, and loss of control over financial resources.  Just as in heterosexual relationships, domestic violence involves power and control with the abuser sometimes using their partner’s LGBT or HIV status as a means to exercise that power and control.

Specific to domestic violence, we provide criminal justice support and advocacy, including accompaniment during all phases of criminal prosecution from filing a police report to post-sentencing procedures.  We provide assistance with obtaining a Personal Protection Order.  We also provide assistance with the Crime Victim Compensation Application.  Our goal is to provide information, support and advocacy so that survivors are empowered to break the cycle of abuse.


HIV-Related Violence
HIV-related violence is violence motivated by the perception that the victim is HIV-positive or has AIDS.  This violence can include discrimination, verbal harassment, bias assault, domestic violence, and abuse or neglect.  HIV-related violence extends to cases where HIV status becomes a complicating factor during or after a crime.  This can be particularly challenging for someone who is already facing the challenges of being HIV-positive.

In addition to direct services, the DVS conducts trainings about the needs of victims of violence who are living with HIV/AIDS.

Pick-Up Crimes
Pick-up crimes are one of the least discussed crimes committed against LGBT individuals.  A pick-up crime occurs when the victim meets someone and then a crime is committed against the victim at the pick-up scene or a more private location.  The range of crimes committed includes humiliation, assault, sexual assault, robbery, and homicide.  Victims often suffer needlessly from shame and guilt because they feel responsible for being hurt since they “picked-up” their perpetrator.  Oftentimes, the perpetrator specifically targets LGBT individuals who may be closeted so that the victim does not report the crime.  

In addition to direct services, the DVS works with the victim and offers personal support and criminal justice advocacy if they choose to report the crime.  We also anonymously include the crime against them in our annual reporting.

Data Collection and Reporting
The DVS documents the anti-LGBT and HIV-related incidents that occur throughout the state of Michigan and publish this data individually, as well as in the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Annual Hate Crimes Report.  The Hate Crimes Statistics Act of 1990 and the Campus Hate Crimes Right to Know Act of 1997 require law enforcement agencies to collect and report on hate crimes, including crimes motivated by bias against the LGBT and HIV-affected communities.  However, the fact that the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 does not include crimes against LGBT and HIV-affected individuals’ results in underreporting since there is no legal requirement to classify these crimes as hate crimes.  Further, the Michigan Ethnic Intimidation Act does not include bias crimes against LGBT and HIV-affected individuals.  Therefore, the statistics reported through Triangle Foundation are critical to catch a realistic glimpse at the prevalent violence against the LGBT and HIV-affected communities.

It is imperative that you report anti-LGBT or HIV-related violence to the Triangle Foundation’s Department of Victim Services.

Community-Police Relations
Police misconduct is a major concern in the LGBT community.  Misconduct can include verbal and physical abuse by law enforcement officers, refusal to assist LGBT victims of crime, unequal application of the law against the LGBT community, and police policies that hurt the community.

The DVS works to serve as a liaison between law enforcement agencies and the LGBT community.  We investigate allegations of police misconduct and provide advocacy to individuals trying to get justice.  We attempt to address issues as they arise, but also educate to prevent such issues through training done individually and in cooperation with other agencies, such as the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and the Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes.

Our services include:
Crisis intervention
Information and referral
Escort to, and advocacy with, law enforcement agencies
Escort to all phases of a criminal prosecution from meeting with the prosecuting attorney to post-sentencing proceedings
Assistance filing Crime Victim Compensation Applications
Assistance in obtaining Personal Protection Orders
Safety planning
Advocacy with domestic violence shelters and agencies
Advocacy with other service agencies
Referrals to culturally competent attorneys, counselors and social service agencies
Community education and organizing
Professional trainings for law enforcement agencies, domestic violence shelters and agencies, social service agencies

All services are free and confidential.

The Hate Crimes Reporting Hotline is a toll-free number that is available 24 hours per day.  A message is recorded and DVS staff follow-up with callers the next business day.  All calls are confidential, and callers can remain anonymous.

If you or anyone you know has been the victim of a crime, including a hate crime, harassment, discrimination, domestic violence, HIV-positive/AIDS-related violence, police misconduct or a pick-up crime, contact the Department of Victim Services.  We can help.

The Hate Crimes Reporting Hotline is 877-787-4264, extension 114 or 112.  For more urgent calls, you may enter 313 to leave a message on the Director’s cell phone.  You may also send an e-mail to report@tri.org.