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LGBT Domestic Abuse Cat Everett Domestic and Sexual Abuse Caseworker

Providing support, advocacy, and campaigns against LGBT violence and abuse. Key projects and services outlined, focusing on domestic and sexual abuse issues in the LGBT community.

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LGBT Domestic Abuse Cat Everett Domestic and Sexual Abuse Caseworker

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  1. LGBT Domestic AbuseCat EverettDomestic and Sexual Abuse Caseworker

  2. Galop: who are we? • The only pan-London LGBT anti-violence charity • Developed from grassroots campaign on policing and hate crime • Grounded in direct work with victims of homophobic and transphobic hate crime, domestic and sexual abuse • Work in partnership with other voluntary and statutory organisations but we are independent from the police

  3. Key Galop projects • Pan-London hate crime project • DAP - London LGBT Domestic Abuse Partnership (including Broken Rainbow, Pace, Stonewall Housing and Switchboard) • Young Person’s Domestic Abuse Project • Shine Project (Trans inclusive work) • Sexual violence/abuse project

  4. What we do • Advice, support and advocacy • Non-police (third party) reporting via telephone, face-to-face and on-line • Campaigns around LGBT violence and abuse, strategic role on LGBT community safety in London • Research: Shine@Galop, Filling in the Blanks

  5. My role • Funded by Comic Relief until 2013 • I work 3 days a week with young people (under 25) – remaining time with those of all ages • I work with clients who have experienced sexual and domestic abuse • Advice, information, advocacy • Emotional support • On going case work

  6. Key issues for my clients • Housing • Civil law • Criminal law • Safety planning • Risk assessments • Referrals/signposting

  7. LGBT Domestic Abuse: key issues

  8. Myths around LGBT domestic abuse • It doesn’t happen to LGBT people • Any abuse is mutual; it’s not about power and control • The victim/survivor and perpetrator can be identified on physical presentation • If it does happen, it is easier for LGBT people to leave an abusive relationship • The law does not protect LGBT people

  9. Facts and figures • Similar prevalence among LGB people to heterosexual women • Limited research into the experience of trans people • Lesbian and bi women at risk from former heterosexual partners • Under-reported • When reported, this is often providers other than the Police and/or domestic abuse and LGBT services

  10. LGBT DA: key issues Issues that mayhave an impact include: • Accessing support requires ‘coming out’ • Real or perceived homo/bi/transphobia • Potential for isolation • Arising from homo/bi/transphobia • Alienation from families of origin • Silence around sexual violence • Housing and refuge provision for LGBT people • Accessibility & secondary victimisation • Access to role models • Potential for unique forms of abuse

  11. Unique forms of abuse • ‘Outing’ (or threats) about sexual orientation/gender identity • ‘Identity abuse’ • Reinforcing fears that no one will help • Undermining someone's sense of identity • Refusing to use preferred pronoun or name • Withholding/destroying medication, hormones, clothes • Normalising abuse in LGBT relationships • Controlling access to social networks • First same-sex relationship • Identity of perpetrator(s) • Former heterosexual partner • Family and so-called honour based violence

  12. Trans domestic abuse • Criticising body, clothing or voice • Destroying or withholding clothing, medication, cosmetics etc • Criticising for not being a ‘real man or woman’ • Assaulting surgically or medically altered body parts • Forcing to expose surgical scars • Exploiting internalised transphobia

  13. Developed by Roe and Jagadinsky Adapted from the Power and Control Wheel developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, 206 West Forth Street, Duluch, MN 55806 Power and control wheel

  14. Assessing risk for LGBT clients • Power & Control Wheel: a helpful tool for identifying abusive behaviours • CAADA-DASH RIC: Are you completing this? • Minimization • Beware of buying into myths & stereotypes • Referring cases to MARAC

  15. Common forms of emotional abuse • Isolated from friends • regularly insulted/put down • frightened by things your partner says/does • told what to do/who to see • isolated from relatives • made to do most housework • your spending controlled (men) • your age used against you • malicious/pestering phone calls • your education used against you

  16. Common forms of physical abuse • slapped/pushed/shoved • physically threatened • kicked/punched • restrained/held down/tied up • stalked/followed by partner • beaten up • choked/strangled/suffocated • locked out of house/room by partner • hit with an object/weapon • bitten

  17. Common forms of sexual abuse • had sex for sake of peace • touched in way that caused fear/alarm/distress • forced into sexual activity • hurt during sex • 'safe' words/boundaries disrespected • sexually assaulted/abused • refused your request for safer sex

  18. Barriers to accessing services • Lack of understanding and awareness from some service providers on LGBT community • Concerns about real or perceived homo/transphobia • Use of terminology (inc. use of pronouns) • Relationship with perpetrator relate to employment • Feeling that non LGBT-specific services are not for LGBT people

  19. Barriers to accessing services • Little trust (understanding) of police • Fear of going to court • Already feel marginalised in the community • Poor service from other providers • Wider issues and complexities • Lack of service provision- e.g. housing esp refuges

  20. Barriers to accessing services • Feeling the incident is too minor to report or that nothing can be done- previous minimisation by professionals • Not being taken seriously – previous bad experiences • Fear of reprisals from perpetrators • Not wanting to disclose their identity or that they are victim of a hate crime • Wanting non-CJS outcomes – e.g. housing

  21. How to address barriers • Are you asking? Do you monitor? • Avoiding heterosexism: Don’t assume gender of partners • Literature and advertising: is your service LGBT friendly? • Training: being comfortable with LGBT issues • Don’t buy into myths and stereotypes • Don’t minimise experiences

  22. How to address barriers • Allow victims time to talk, listen to them and take their experiences seriously • Be mindful of identity issues when giving advice - not being afraid to ask others for advice • Offer help to report incidents but explore this as one option • Safety planning and help with non-CJS matters • Signpost or refer to other agencies

  23. Questions • Please feel free to ask any questions you have!

  24. Thank you!

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