Victims and survivors of domestic abuse

LGBT+ Victims of Domestic Abuse

If someone is in immediate danger and their life is threatened, they should dial the Police on 999; if you are unable to talk, once connected to 999 press 55 and the police will attend. If it is not an emergency but you need help from the police, please call 101. For non-emergencies you can also report a crime online. 

Understanding LGBT+ Experiences of Domestic Abuse  

Behaviour is abusive if it consists of any of the following: 

  • Physical or sexual abuse 
  • Violent or threatening behaviour 
  • Controlling or coercive behaviour 
  • Economic or financial abuse  
  • Psychological, emotional or other abuse  
  • It does not matter is this behaviour is a single event or a course of conduct 

For more information on the types of domestic abuse visit here

There are some kinds of domestic abuse that can be based on your orientation or gender identity. Examples include: 

  • Threatening to disclose your romantic or sexual orientation, gender identity, gender history, or HIV status without your consent   
  • Coercive and controlling behaviour around your romantic or sexual orientation and/or gender identity  
  • Pressuring you to keep your identity or relationship secret  
  • Denying that LGBT+ people in intimate relationships can experience domestic abuse  
  • Isolating you from family, friends, and the LGBT+ community  
  • Undermining your romantic or sexual orientation and/or gender identity  
  • Using your hormones or gender-affirming medication to control  
  • Trying to change or supress your orientation or gender identity 

LGBT+ people may be manipulated into believing that there is no help available to them because they are LGBT+.  They may also be told that abusive behaviours are ‘normal’ in LGBT+ relationships, or that LGBT+ cannot experience domestic abuse.  

Abuse from family members is sometimes not recognised as abuse and written off as a ‘family dispute’ or having ‘different values’.   

LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse might feel that domestic abuse services are not for them or may not understand what has happened to them.  

For more information visit here

Support for LGBT+ Victims of Domestic Abuse in Coventry 

Safe To Talk Helpline

If you are an LGBT+ victim of domestic abuse please call the Safe To Talk Helpline: 0800 111 4998 

8.30am - 5.30pm Monday - Friday 
10am - 1pm Saturday - Sunday 

Birmingham LGBT Centre

Birmingham LGBT Centre provides an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) service to support LGBT people in Birmingham and the wider areas, who are experiencing abuse from partners, ex-partners and family members. Birmingham LGBT centre also supports LGBT people who are experiencing, or are at risk of honour based violence and forced marriage.

The LGBT IDVA services covers Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall, Dudley, Wolverhampton & Coventry.

Independent Domestic Violence Advocate: 0121 643 0821 or email IDVA@BLGBT.ORG

For more information visit here