Domestic Abuse

Table of Contents
1. What is domestic abuse?
2. National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
3. London LGBT Domestic Abuse Partnership
4. National LGBT + DVA Project

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is any kind of threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between people who have been intimate partners or family members. This includes forced marriage, abuse relating to gender identity or sexuality and so-called honour-based violence. Domestic abuse can occur between current or former intimate partners, in the home, or in the family.

Domestic abuse can take many forms, including psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. Find out how to tell if you’re experiencing it and what to do if you are.

Does your partner, ex-partner, or a family member:

  • Call you names, threaten to ‘out’ you, or use put-downs?
  • Use your gender or sexuality as a basis for threats or harm?
  • Damage your property?
  • Threaten to harm you or others that you love?
  • Control your access to money?
  • Make unwanted advances or force you into unwanted sexual contact?
  • Hit, shove, grab, kick, throw things, or use other forms of physical violence on you?
  • Control your contact with friends, family, work, or the LGBT ‘scene’?
  • Threaten to harm themselves if you leave or seek help?

If so, you may be experiencing domestic abuse. Get in touch for support and to explore your options.

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline

Emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse isn’t always physical- it can be psychological, emotional, financial and sexual too. Speak out, don’t suffer in silence.

Opening Times:

10am – 5pm Monday
10am – 5pm Tuesday
10am – 8pm Wednesday
10am – 8pm Thursday
10am – 5pm Friday

1pm – 5pm Tuesday is trans specific service.

Online chat:

5pm – 8pm Wednesday
5pm – 8pm Thursday

London LGBT Domestic Abuse Partnership

If you are in, the LGBT Domestic Abuse Partnership can help too. The DAP is made up of 4 LGBT agencies who each provide different services for LGBT victims/survivors of domestic abuse. With one phone call, you will be linked in with Galop, Stonewall Housing, LGBT Switchboard, and Friend. You’ll have access to a range of services including:

  • Advice and safety planning
  • Housing advice, including options on finding safe accommodation
  • Emotional support
  • Free one-to-one Counselling
  • Support and assistance with dealing with the police
  • Help reporting incidents
  • Legal advice on civil or criminal protection (e.g., non-molestation orders)
  • Support through civil and criminal court system
  • Help finding solicitors
  • Advice on child safety and child contact issues
  • Specific support around sexual abuse
  • Translation service available to those who do not have English as a first language

You can explore your options with a specialist worker and receive immediate assistance if necessary.

National LGBT + DVA Project

The National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse project aims to improve the infrastructure and support for reporting of LGBT+ domestic abuse as well as making it easier for LGBT+ people to seek help when they need it. It is a Home Office supported initiative delivered by Galop in partnership with;

Stonewall Housing
Birmingham LGBT
Intercom Trust
LGBT Foundation
RISE
Victim Support Wales