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Friday, April 8, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Assistance network helps victims of discrimination
By Christine Martin
Kansan staff writer
People who think that they are victims of discrimination because of their sexual orientation now have a place to go for support and counseling.
The Victim Assistance Network was established in cooperation with three local agencies earlier this year. The Human Rights in Lawbridge (CHRL)
Laurie Knutson, a member of CHRL and a licensed social worker, said the network was started after the Lawrence City Commission voted to not take action in January on amending the city's human rights ordinance to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
People who feel victimized or harassed because of their sexual orientation can call one of three agencies. Headquarters Counseling Center and the KU Information Center will receive calls 24 hours every day. The KU Information Action will receive calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
p.m. Monday through Friday
The person taking the call will then
write down the caller's first name or a pseudonym, if the caller desires to leave a name, and a phone number where the caller can be reached.
One of those three agencies will then call a trained network volunteer, who will contact the caller.
Knutson said this system would keep the caller's and volunteers' identities confidential.
The network volunteers are there to empathize with and help a person cope with discrimination, Knutson said.
"We ask them how it's affected their lives and if they want to be referred to support services, counselors or an attorney," Knutson said. "We're here if they just want someone to talk to."
Knutson said the volunteers took down information from the person about what happened but the information is confidential.
She said CHRL intended to present documentation of discrimination to the City Commission and that it would try to get the human rights ordinance amended to include sexual orientation.
rine City Commission said there was not enough proof of discrimination to warrant a change to the city code," Knutson said.
Although people who answer phones at Headquarters Counseling Center and KU Information said no one had called the network yet, Knutson said at least 15 people had called or appalled by them after they had experienced discrimination because of their perceived sexual orientation.
"It's a very good sign like it's safe to come forward and break the silence about what has been happening to them," Knutson said.
Knutson said that she knew of a case in which a man was physically assaulted because someone thought he was gay. She also said she knew of cases where people had lost their jobs or received harassing mail and phone calls because others thought they were gay.
"There's a wide range of things like this that happen a lot," Knutson said. "The incidents were downplayed because there was nowhere to go."
Presented by the University of Kansas Theatre and the Department of Music and Dance
Music by Richard Rodgers Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein 2nd Based on the play Liliom by Ferenc Molnar
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