LGBTQ+

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people suffer from domestic violence and abuse also. It’s estimated that 1 in 4 LGBT people experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and 1 in 7 gay men have been in physically violent relationships.

There are many parallels between LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of domestic abuse and that of their heterosexual peers.  LGBTQ+ people may have their sexuality and gender identity used against them as a tactic for the abuser to keep the power and control in the relationship. Trans survivors are one of the most hidden groups of domestic abuse survivors.

These additional factors often underpin the complexity of issues LGBTQ+ survivors face and include the following abusive behaviours -

• Intimidation and threats of disclosure of sexual orientation and gender identity to family, friends, work colleagues, community and others
• Using gender or orientation as a basis for threats, intimidation or harm
• Disclosing gender history, sexual orientation or HIV status without consent
• Undermining the sense of sexual and/or gender identity/self-expression, or making a person feel guilty or ashamed of their sexual orientation and gender identity
• Limiting or controlling access to LGBT+ spaces or resources
• Using immigration law to threaten a person with deportation to the country of origin, which might be unsafe due to e.g. anti-gay legislation
• That no help or support is available because they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or that for this reason, they deserve the abuse
• Forcing a person to perform a gender they do not wish to present as
• Coercing a person into not pursuing gender transition (including denying or withholding access to medical treatment or hormones etc.)
• Ridiculing or exotifying body or body parts
• Assaulting medically altered body parts or forcing exposure of surgical scars
• Exploiting internalised transphobia

There is support and help available to you and the first step to accessing this can be by contacting DAP on 01482 318 759. The types of advice and support they can offer may include -

• emotional support
• housing advice
• legal options
• safety planning
• support to access emergency accommodation
• support to attend appointments
• signposting to other agencies

There are other local and national organisations that can offer advice and support and their contact details can be found on the galop website.