As part of Lambeth Safeguarding Adults Board’s observance of Pride, we want to highlight the largely unrecognised issue of Domestic Violence and Abuse within the LGBT+ community. The heteronormative nature of our society often leads us to believe that Domestic Violence only occurs when a cis man abuses a cis woman, but the data simply does not support this limited view. 11% of LGBT+ people have suffered Domestic Abuse from a partner in the last year, compared to 6% for women and 3% for men in the general population – this rate increases to 19% for Trans and Non-Binary people.
Due to the unique nature of these cases, services and charities are often not adequately prepared to support victims, especially transgender victims, who often report a lack of training and/or awareness on the part of practitioners as a reason not to seek help. This reluctance to access support can often embolden abusers to continue their behaviour, feeling safe in the knowledge that their partner is unlikely to report them or seek aid.
LGBT+ persons may also be at greater risk of Adult Family Violence, particularly those who are from a religious background. These abuses can often be dismissed as stemming from ‘different values’, implying that someone’s beliefs, religious or otherwise, somehow legitimise their abusive behaviour. This relates to one of the unique forms of abuse within this context, that being the threat of being ‘outed’ by a partner, or in this case another family member. This could either be a form of abuse in itself or a technique used to prevent the affected party from reporting other abuse. Another form of abuse unique to the Transgender and Non-Binary community is ‘Dead-Naming’ or referring to someone by the name given to them at birth with the intention of causing harm.
A 2022 report by Galop on LGBT+ experiences of abuse from family members found that 29% of those surveyed reported experiencing abuse from a family member, which rose to 43% for Transgender and Non-Binary people. 92% of those who had endured familial abuse reported a negative impact.
Training for Lambeth professionals
We would like to inform you that as part of Lambeth’s wider VAWG strategy, a free training session will be conducted by Galop on 7th July about LGBT+ people’s experience of Abuse and is open to ALL professionals working in Lambeth.
Where to seek help
If you or someone you know has been a victim of Domestic Abuse and you believe them or yourself to be in immediate danger – call 999. If there is no immediate danger, you can call 101 and make a report
If you are unsure of whether what you or someone else has experienced constitutes Domestic Abuse, please refer to this resource from Galop Help, Support and Resources can be accessed via Galop, including a free helpline on 0800 999 5428, as well as a fact sheet on how to access support online safely.
Stonewall also offers resources for LGBT+ survivors of Domestic Abuse and Violence
In Lambeth, people experiencing domestic abuse can also seek support from the Gaia Centre by calling 020 7733 8724 or emailing lambethVAWG@refuge.org.uk
Concerns about abuse of adults with care and support needs can also be reported to Lambeth Adult Social Care via the online reporting form.
