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LGBTQ

LGBTQ stands for Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer or Questionning
 
All support services in Cambridgeshire are open to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
 
LGBTQ victims of domestic abuse experience many of the same issues as non LGBTQ victims. However, there are some specific issues that apply only to this group of people that can be significant additional barriers in seeking support. Abusers will often use their partner's sexual orientation against them, for example by threatening to 'out' them at work or with family. If the victim has children the abuser may make threats about not being allowed to see the children if sexual orientation is revealed. This all follows the pattern of power and control common to all domestic abuse situations.

For some people gender identity and/or gender expression differs from their birth sex or they are outside the gender binary system of male and female (as opposed to cisgender - someone who identifies with the sex they were assigned at birth). This site uses the word Trans* for these people.

Trans* people disproportionately suffer abuse from their partners. A 2012 study (McNeil et al) showed that 80% of trans* people experience Domestic Violence but there are virtually no Domestic Violence services specifically designed to incorporate the experiences and realities of trans* people. Many services for victims of domestic violence state they are for men or women and use language that refers to either males or females. This can make trans* people feel excluded from services.

Consideration also needs to be given to language used to describe sexual abuse or violence as this may have occured when the victim identified as a different gender to how they identify now. Using certain words (for example, to describe genitalia) may make them feel especially uncomfortable.

 

Getting Help
 
Domestic Abuse Support Services supports all victims in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough 0300 373 1073   or email DASSreferrals@impakt.org.uk  
 
 
Galop offer support to LGBT+ people across the UK that have experienced hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence.  The helpline number is 0300 999 5428 or you can visit the website at http://www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/
 
They also offer a weekend online chat service.  Galop have written a factsheet about myths associated with LGBTQ victims/survivors of domestic abuse - you can read the factsheet below.

 

 

 

 

LGBT DA Myths.pdf
UK Says No More also have information for LGBTQ victims and survivors on their website http://uksaysnomore.org/learn/lgbt-domestic-violence-and-sexual-assault/
Latin American Women’s Aid (LAWA) have a free specialised support service for lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer, Latin American, black or minoritised ethnic women.  The information is on the flyer below and the website can be accessed here