New Delhi- Organizations working to protect queer and trans individuals often encounter legal issues. The lack of guidelines increases the difficulty for marginalized communities. Several organizations have collaborated to create a helpful guide for assisting queer and trans individuals facing abuse and crisis situations. While it is important to help them, one must also remember to prioritize their own safety.

Nazariya Foundation, in collaboration with Sappho for Equality and Sahayatrika, has formulated the guidelines. Varsha and Rituparna Borah, co-founders of Nazariya Foundation, have written the guidelines, while Mihir Samson and Amritnanda Chakravorty are the advisors for it.

Although this set of procedures may not apply universally, it draws from the experience of multiple activists working on crisis intervention with survivors, police, and legal systems. Here are some essential steps for case workers or organizations engaging in crisis intervention with queer women and transgender individuals.

Cases that reach organizations vary in nature, each with its own unique details and context. Our goal is not to standardize these procedures but to offer support to case workers when they encounter challenges.

Here is a step-by-step help that can be provided to abuse survivors:

Step 1 - When Survivor/s Reach Out:

• - Whenever a survivor, their friend, or partner contacts you for support and help, it is important to assess if they are in any immediate danger. This will impact how long they have to speak to you, whether they can express themselves freely, and the nature of the intervention that might be required, and within what time.

• - To the extent possible, it would be best to speak to the person concerned directly, as they would have the most accurate information about the situation and would also be able to inform you if any interventions may harm them.

• - Ask them to write you an email or a message requesting support from you. It can be a simple WhatsApp message or an email.

A sample format:

Dear X,

I am YZ and identify as [insert identity]. I want your support in getting out of my violent home. I am an adult and want to leave my home on my own accord. My ID cards are attached to this mail/message. Please let me know how I can proceed.

Thanking you,

XYZ.

Step 2 - Confirm the Details:

• Make sure you are not using your personal phone numbers while talking to the survivor (Use an office number or Helpline Number).

• Ensure that the survivor is 18+. To confirm their age, ask for their Class 10th certificate or Passport. (Aadhar is not an authentic proof of age if the survivor has said that they have just turned 18 years old.)

• - If the survivor is more than 24-25 years old, their Aadhar or Voter ID can be used.

Step 3 - After You Have Been in Contact with the Survivor:

Once they reach your organization or your home, the nearest police station near your home/organization/shelter home should be informed that XYZ has come on their own accord and they are staying with you from this date onwards.

To,

The SHO,

XYZ police station

Sub: Intimation and Police Protection for Ms. X

Sir/Madam,

This is to inform you that Ms. X, aged [insert age] years, has voluntarily left her natal home due to the abuse she faced from her family. She apprehends threats to her safety from her family members and requires police protection. She has reached our Shelter home today [insert date], address [insert address]. The shelter home is run by [insert organization].

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