Welcome from the Gay Partner Abuse Project.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Gay Partner Abuse Project, a community based non-profit organization, provides support, education and advocacy for men who experience violence and abuse in intimate same-sex relationships.

Gay Partner Abuse Project serves in a non-judgmental manner men who experience same-sex partner abuse while respecting individual needs, personal safety and confidentiality.

Gay Partner Abuse Project is committed to the eradication of violence in male same-sex intimate relationships.

WHO WE ARE

Background
The Gay Partner Abuse Project is the first of its kind in Canada to address the significant problem of violence within intimate relationships among gay men and the profound lack of information, services and programs that are available to assist men to recognize abuse and violence and to heal from it.

In the spring of 1998 a group of men began to meet who were concerned about abuse in gay men's relationships. In November 1998, this group, with the support and assistance of the 519 Victim Assistance Program and the Coalition Against Same Sex Partner Abuse (CASSPA), hosted the first forum in Toronto about violence and abuse in gay and bisexual men's relationships. About forty-five people (the majority of whom were victims/survivors) attended that event and eight people attended a subsequent community meeting on the subject. From that forum and discussions with the members of our community such as CASSPA, the Coordinator of the David Kelly Lesbian and Gay Counselling Program of the Family Services Association, the Coordinator of the Victim Assistance Program and the Coordinator of Training with Toronto Police Services it became clear that further education for gay men and service providers about gay male domestic violence and group support for victims/survivors of gay male domestic violence are essential and urgent.

In spring 1999, the Gay Partner Abuse Project ran the first support group for men who had experienced violence in their intimate same-sex relationship. We received a grant from the City of Toronto Breaking the Cycle of Violence grant program to support our work. The Gay Partner Abuse Project has received a great deal of support from fab magazine, XTRA!, resilient channel graphic communication, Education Wife Assault, CITY TV, White Ribbon Campaign, the 519 Victim Assistance Program, CASSPA, Parkdale Community Health Centre, Metro Woman Abuse Council, ACT, Counterpoint Counselling and Education Cooperative and other private businesses and citizens.

Mission Statement
Gay Partner Abuse Project, a community based non-profit organization, provides support, education and advocacy for men who experience violence and abuse in intimate same-sex relationships.

Gay Partner Abuse Project serves in a non-judgmental manner men who experience same-sex partner abuse while respecting individual needs, personal safety and confidentiality.

Gay Partner Abuse Project is committed to the eradication of violence in male same-sex intimate relationships.

What We Do:

Education
Continue to actively coordinate public education forums, participate in speaking engagements and conferences, share information and resources and support continued media coverage of this social problem.

Outreach
Through outreach, raise awareness of male same-sex partner abuse among service providers as well as the broader community. Foster working relationships with relevant service providers and other community based resources including police and courts.

Services
Continue to provide support groups for victims / survivors of male same-sex partner abuse in conjunction with partnering agencies. Initiate services that are reflective and responsive to victims / survivors needs such as safe temporary housing. Examine the need and provide programs for perpetrators of abuse / violence or referrals to appropriate services.

Advocacy
Committed to helping individuals meet their needs at the level of practical assistance, targeted programs and broader public policy and community support.

Research
Provide access to sources of data and research pertaining to the study of male same-sex partner abuse.

How You Can Make A Difference

Same-sex partner abuse is estimated by experts to be the third largest health issue affecting gay men in North America. By supporting the Gay Partner Abuse Project you are helping individuals break free from the cycle of abuse and violence in their lives. If you would like to have a positive impact, here are some of the ways you can help:

Time

We are always looking for people who are interested in helping in our efforts. We welcome volunteers, including individuals who are survivors of same-sex partner abuse, and health professionals, whether it be for project-based vounteering or ongoing assistance with our programs and services.

Donations

Because our organization is young and developing, we are in need of financial assistance. We are a not-for-profit volunteer-driven group and often are without sufficient resources to help victims when they need it. Please note that as we are in the earliest stages of establishing a tax-deductible charitable status, we cannot offer a tax receipt for your donation. Here are some ways your money could make a difference:

$100 would provide emergency shelter for two nights for a man fleeing an abusive or violent situation.

$50 would provide emergency shelter for one night.

$25 would provide one day of basic daily needs while living in a temporary safe shelter.

If you cannot afford to send money, there are other ways you can help. Soap, shampoo, food, clothes, TTC tokens and other such items would help a man fleeing an emergency situation.

For more information or to make arrangements for a donation, please contact one of our volunteers.

How and why you can clear your web browser's history

Are You Being Abusive

Understanding
Abuse

News and
Events