Over the last month professionals and activists, agencies, policymakers and government have faced an extraordinary set of circumstances in light of the COVOID-19 pandemic, including in relation to domestic violence and abuse. While work has been going on behind the scenes to ensure the delivery of services, the public face of much of the response has focused on reaching out to victims and survivors who find themselves isolated with an abusive partner to try and make sure that they know that help and support are available. Alongside this, there has been an increased emphasis on ensuring family, friends and neighbours also know how to recognise the signs of domestic violence and abuse and what they can do to help.
As a network of agencies and practitioners, researchers and activists, working on LGBT+ domestic abuse, we recognise this work is vital, and we will continue to work with our statutory and third sector partners to ensure that victims and survivors are supported.
We would like to support all those working on the response to domestic violence and abuse to continue to recognise the experiences of LGBT+ survivors. Research tells us that LGBT+ survivors can face a range of barriers to identifying their experiences, particularly if they are not explicitly represented in the public story of domestic violence and abuse.
We also know some LGBT+ survivors are more likely to reach out to friends or family, rather than domestic violence services or agencies like the Police, so it is important to ensure the communication to friends and families also recognises that domestic abuse affects LGBT+ people.
This is why we have developed the following advice and guidance:
- For friends and/or family who are worried that the LGBT+ person they know is being victimised by their partner;
- For friends and/or family who are worried that the LGBT+ person they know is using violent/abusive behaviour towards their partner;
This guidance is also useful for professionals and helpline operators who are receiving calls from friends/family who are LGBT+ either because they are being victimised by, or using violent/abusive behaviour towards their partner.
For a directory of LGBT+ specialist domestic abuse services in England please check Galop’s National LGBT+ Service Mapwhich includes relevant links and contact details.
Galop also host an online LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Library, which includes direct links to resources relevant for LGBT+ people, service providers working with LGBT+ victims of domestic abuse and researchers interested in the topic.
We would also like to encourage all services to include information about specialist LGBT+ domestic abuse services, including the LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline (0800 999 5428 / help@galop.org.uk/ http://www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/) to their internal and external communications.
Notes1. The statement and the advice/guidance have been prepared by a network of agencies and practitioners, researchers and activists working on LGBT+ domestic violence and abuse. This work is unfunded.
2. The fact sheets are intended for distribution. You do not need to seek permission to share them. However, please acknowledge the network