Domestic Abuse Attitudes

posted: 15/11/2010

Domestic abuse harms many people as well as wider society. People living with HIV are affected by domestic violence as much as any other people in society. The Greater Manchester domestic abuse organisation, Independent Choices, wants people’s views about domestic abuse problems and what services are needed.

The survey asks just nine questions and takes just 5 minutes. Join the survey here.
 

Please share the survey

Please circulate this to people you know in Greater Manchester, because they want as many people answering the survey as possible.
 

Findings

The survey results will be published and help develop and support high quality domestic violence support services for Greater Manchester region into 2011.
 

Copies of the finished report will be available by searching their website in January 2011.

Questions?

Questions about the survey to the research student, with the email heading ‘Research’  

 

Ending Domestic Violence

posted: 27/11/2008

Around 1 in 4 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. One in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and domestic violence impacts on every type of people and relationship, including children and heterosexual men.

Tuesday 25 of November marks White Ribbon Day - the global campaign to ensure men take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women.

Gay community and domestic violence

Around 1 in 4 lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. This statistic is very similar to that experienced by people in heterosexual relationships, yet most people think in terms of domestic violence experienced by heterosexual women. They forget that LGBT people live in the same world and experience similar domestic abuse.

HIV and domestic violence

Among people living with HIV, there are no formal studies but anecdotally we know that  people tell us about being assaulted and abused in the home and sometimes of feeling like wanting to. The stress and anxiety and poorer mental health experienced by many people living with HIV can contribute to people losing self control. Having HIV can make people highly vulnerable to attack and abuse in the home.

Many communities, including the LGBT community, put their head in the sand about domestic abuse. However academic research over the last few years, including Stonewall's 'Prescription for Change', has consistently shown that abuse happens and that men and women are suffering on a daily basis from their partners, ex partners or members of their families.
 

Over the next few month’s Broken Rainbow (National Helpline for LGBT people suffering domestic abuse) and the Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) will be highlighting the issue of same sex domestic abuse, culminating in targeted campaigns to coincide with LGBT History month and Valentine’s Day in February.

Melvin Hartley Chief Executive of Broken Rainbow says:
“Since its launch almost 5 years ago, Broken Rainbow has worked hard to change the situation for LGBT people experiencing domestic violence. We offer the only national helpline which provides confidential support to all members of the LGBT community, their families, friends and agencies supporting them. It is run by trained LGBT people who have an understanding of sexual identity issues along with the impact domestic violence can have.”

Andrew Gilliver LGF’s Communications Manager adds:
“If you think you are in an abusive relationship or know someone who is, there are many ways in which you can find help. No one has the right to hurt or harm, and everyone gay, lesbian or otherwise, deserves the right to live their lives freely and with dignity. Whatever you do, whether it is to phone a national helpline, seek out local support, tell a friend or go to the police, reach out for help, there is help there for you.”
 

Broken Rainbow's helpline: 08452 60 44 60 (Mondays 2-8pm, Wed's 10am -1pm, Thursdays 2-8pm)
Broken Rainbow
White Ribbon
LGF