Galop, the UK’s LGBT+ anti-violence charity, has launched a new guide, Commissioning for inclusion: Delivering services for LGBT+ survivors of domestic abuse, to encourage and support commissioners, services, policy-makers, and the government to work in partnership to better meet the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic abuse.
LGBTQ+ people in the UK experience significant levels of domestic abuse but LGBTQ+ survivors face a range of additional and distinct barriers in access to services, which makes it less likely that they will seek help and support. The needs of LGBT+ people are also often absent in both commissioning guidance and practice.
LGBTQ+ specialist domestic abuse services are unavailable within most local authority areas in England and Wales. By the end of June 2019, there were six voluntary sector providers delivering LGBTQ+ specialist support for those affected by domestic abuse, with Independent Domestic Violence Advisors for LGBTQ+ survivors hosted by four services. There is a lack of access to counselling and other forms of support for LGBTQ+ people. Emergency safe spaces are limited, and housing providers do not always recognise that they have a duty towards LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic abuse. There are also no specific NOMS-accredited or other programmes for family members or LGBTQ+ people who perpetrate domestic abuse.
Galop is calling on the government, commissioners, and services to reflect on how they can work together to better meet the needs of LGBTQ+ domestic abuse survivors. The charity hopes that this guidance can be used to facilitate a dialogue at a local, regional, and national level about the ways to build, develop and sustain domestic abuse support tailored to the needs of LGBTQ+ people.
The new guide is structured around the main four stages of the commissioning cycle. It features checklists, for both commissioners and service providers, identifying the key actions from each stage and providing practical suggestions relating to the needs of LGBT+ survivors. To see the guide, CLICK HERE
Leni Morris, CEO of Galop, said: “At Galop, we see the effects of domestic abuse on LGBTQ+ survivors every day. We know that LGBTQ+ people experience significant levels of domestic abuse, but face distinct systemic and personal barriers in accessing help and support. This is why specialist services are so important in breaking down some of those barriers, and enabling victims and survivors to come forward and access the help that they need and deserve.
“The role of and need for specialist domestic abuse services, run by and for LGBTQ+ people, must be recognised and it is vital that the development and sustainability of such services are supported.
“Our ambition is that this guidance will initiate and inform much-needed discussions at national, regional, and local levels, about the nuanced and tailored ways to build, develop and sustain LGBTQ+ specific domestic abuse provision”
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