Breaking News!  I’ve just been appointed to the National Trauma Education and Policy Board, as LGBTQ Community Chair.  This is a true privilege and honor.

     A critical part of the National Trauma Education and Policy Board’s mission is to increase awareness and to educate the public about the impact and consequences of all forms of trauma.  The board also helps craft and recommend appropriate policy initiatives to assist in effecting positive change.

     As LGBTQ Community Chair, my focus will be on those aspects of and issues surrounding trauma that the LGBTQ community experience and must confront.  I will place a particular emphasis on Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A), which as you know is domestic violence and abuse within the LGBTQ community.

     Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A) is a real social health concern.  According to The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), IPV/A is “a pattern of behaviors utilized by one partner (the abuser or batterer) to exert and maintain control over another person (the survivor or victim) where there exists an intimate, loving and dependent relationship.”   Every year, between 50,000-100,000 lesbians (or more) and as many as 500,000 (or more) gay/SGL (same-gender-loving) men are battered.  About one in four LGBTQ relationships/partnerships are abusive in some way.

     It’s insidious.  Noxious. In other words, IPV/A ain’t no joke.

     Mr. David Shrank, MSW, LCSW-C, is the Chairman of the Board at the National Trauma Education and Policy Board.  A clinically-licensed therapist and social worker specializing in trauma-focused therapy, Mr. Shrank is the founder and CEO of Empowerment Behavioral Therapeutic Services.  

     Mr. Shrank works extensively with diverse youth and adult populations on a myriad of societal concerns including addiction, bullying, counterterrorism, gang violence, sexual assault, recidivism, and veteran issues.  As well, he consults with schools and law enforcement.  And as a mental expert, Shrank has appeared on a variety of talk shows and podcasts.

     Throughout the New Year, I’ll be reporting on the board’s progress involving policy initiatives, upcoming events…and more.

     2020 has been very disconcerting and punishing.  To be honest—and sadly—this year is ending up to be a downright, total crapfest for so many of us!  Therefore, it’s my goal—no, actually my mission—to infuse even more hope and positive change into the coming year.

     In other words, 2021—get here!