West Hollywood has co-sponsored “Out With It: The LGBT Initiative Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault”, a national campaign that creates awareness of domestic and sexual violence in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community by encouraging victims to speak out and seek assistance.

The grassroots campaign will feature personal stories from celebrities and well-known LGBT public figures, a website with resources for local communities and social media campaigns designed to encourage engagement from the national LGBT community.

While domestic and sexual violence is as prevalent in the community at large as it is in the LGBT community, there are unique dynamics and barriers that make speaking out difficult, officials said. LGBT victims may fear losing a job from being “outed” by an abusive partner; may feel threatened with losing children or status; or may face a lack of understanding from hospitals, law enforcement, the court system, clergy, or friends and neighbors. This fear may lead to the further victimization of survivors or domestic and sexual violence, officials added.

In addition to the Out With It goal of creating a norm where it is acceptable for victims to speak out for themselves, the campaign also encourages open conversations and interactions between suspected victims and the community.

The Out With It campaign’s Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/OutWithItLGBT. Abuse victims are encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Rape and Battering hotline 24 hours day at (310)392-8381.

For information about the Out With It campaign, call (323)848-6460.