At AVP, we work daily to amplify the voices and honor the lived experiences of LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of violence, and every April we recognize Sexual Violence Awareness Month (SVAM), a variation of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, is an important time to raise awareness, support survivors, and highlight ways we can end this type of violence specifically towards LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected communities.
At AVP, we work daily to amplify the voices and honor the lived experiences of LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of violence, and every April we recognize Sexual Violence Awareness Month (SVAM), a variation of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, is an important time to raise awareness, support survivors, and highlight ways we can end this type of violence specifically towards LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected communities.
Sexual violence exists in our community. LGBTQ and HIV-affected people often are more likely to experience sexual violence during their lifetime, and less likely to get help.
Survivors and aggressors of sexual violence can be any gender identity. Misconceptions about gender and sexual orientation, and how they relate to sexual violence cause additional barriers for survivors seeking healing.
We can help end sexual violence. Speak out and be an upstander against the sexual violence you see in our communities.
Consent is required. Always have dialogue with your partner(s) around boundaries and desires and ensure affirmative consent with any and all sexual encounters. Consent can be revoked at any time, for any reason!
You are never to blame if you experience sexual violence. Nothing that a survivor does or says is a cause for sexual violence.
AVP is always here to help. No matter when or where the violence happened, reach out to AVP at 212-714-1141 for help and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
August 3, 2026
AVP’s hotline hours are changing. Beginning Monday, August 10th, our new live hotline hours are: Monday–Thursday 10 a.m.–6 p.m EST Friday 10 a.m.–2 p.m EST During live hours, AVP remains available to provide crisis support, safety planning, resources, and referrals. Live after-hours hotline support will be paused, including overnight and on weekends. What Does This Mean For You? You can still call AVP overnight [...]
June 10, 2026
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Sg_7RS42PnwAVP’s Executive Director, Audacia Ray, spoke with News 12 following the verdict in O'Shae Sibley's case. We are here for queer New Yorkers who continue to be impacted by this loss. Rest in power, O'Shae. 🏳️🌈 You can reach our bi-lingual 24/7 hotline at 212-714-1141 Report violence at any time through our online form avp.org/get-help/report-violence/ [...]
September 12, 2025
Community Organizations, Advocates Celebrate Court Order Blocking Mayor’s Attempt to Bring ICE Back to RikersSeptember 9, 2025New York — Today the ICE Out! NYC Coalition, the Shut Rikers campaign, The New York City Anti-Violence Project and allies applauded Judge Rosado’s court order in New York Supreme Court striking down Mayor Adams’s attack on sanctuary, Executive Order 50.In April, the Adams administration made good on the Mayor’[...]
June 13, 2025
Memorandum of SupportS.2431 Sen Hoylman-Sigal/ A.3925 AM Lavine:Privacy in Name ChangesThe New York City Anti-Violence Project (“AVP”) supports S.2431 Sen. Hoylman Sigal/ A.3925 AM Lavine which will extend the categorical privacy that applies to all other name changes in New York (e.g., marriage, divorce, and adoption) to judicial name change proceedings under Article 6 of the Civil Rights Law. AVP supports this bill because everyone, but esp[...]
May 19, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U36Jl_3IknQ&feature=youtu.be Video Courtesy of [...]
May 12, 2025
AVP Files Amicus Brief in Support of City Council’s Lawsuit to Stop the Adams Administration from Allowing ICE to Return to Rikers IslandNEW YORK, NY | May 13, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT: Leslie Allen, Director of Legal Services | lallen@avp.org | 212.714.1184 x34The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) filed an amicus brief on May 12, 2025, in support of the New York City Council’s lawsuit challenging Executive Order 50. Issue[...]
April 23, 2025
Register Here [...]
February 20, 2025
Keith St. JohnGladys BentleyErnestine EcksteinBarbara Jordan [...]
February 16, 2025
NEW YORK, NY February 16, 2025 CONTACT: Audacia Ray, Interim Executive Director | aray@avp.org | 917-334-8618 “The conditions leading to Sam Nordquist’s murder are a horrible combination of factors – growing permissiveness for anti-trans sentiment, lack of support for trans people of color seeking out close relationships, and a cultural indifference to the humanity of LGBTQ people. In a political moment in which the f[...]
February 14, 2025
Starting in 2021 and through 2023, thanks to community reports to AVP’s hotline, news coverage, and whisper networks in the nightlife communities, AVP documented a series of hook up violence incidents that originated in gay bars in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan. AVP produced 11 x 14 posters that bar managers hung near bathrooms as part of the Bar Safety Initiative These incidents became a public concern when two[...]
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