Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence organisations are joining Sheffield young people’s charity, SAYiT, in launching a collaborative LGBT+ Inclusion Statement – a pledge made by organisations across South Yorkshire to actively strive for LGBT+ inclusion in our support of LGBT+ survivors of Abuse and Sexual Assault.
The statement sends a clear message to LGBT+ survivors seeking support, that our services are committed to LGBT+ inclusion, and offer a safe space for all people, of all genders and non.
The following services join SAYiT’s “Call it Out” project in putting their name to the statement: Ashiana Sheffield, Haven, Mountain Healthcare and Hackenthorpe Lodge, Riverside, Rotherham Metropolitan Council, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, South Yorkshire Police, SRASAC, Young Women’s Housing Project (YWHP) and YWCA.
Domestic abuse is defined as:
“Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.”
Domestic Abuse Stats:
- One in four lesbian and bi women have experienced domestic abuse in a relationship (Stonewall, 2017)
- Almost half (49%) of all gay and bi men have experienced at least one incident of domestic abuse from a family member or partner since the age of 16 (Stonewall, 2017)
- 80% of trans people have experienced emotional, sexual, or physical abuse from a partner or ex-partner (Scottish Transgender Alliance, 2010)
SAYiT was awarded funding to run the Call it Out Project in both 2019 and 2020: an innovative project aimed at improving access to domestic abuse services for LGBT+ people (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and other minority sexuality and/or genders) across South Yorkshire (Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster). The two development workers on the project, Elly Sinclair and Evie Muir, are currently working across the whole of South Yorkshire – raising awareness of the needs of LGBT+ people who are affected by Domestic Abuse.
Recent research shows that LGBT+ victims and survivors of domestic abuse are, by and large, invisible in the mainstream support system. The project which was re-funded in June 2020, continues its consultation work with local LGBT+ people to understand what specific barriers exist for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse that result in them not accessing support services. This consultation will especially seek to engage LGBT+ minority voices who may be affected by multiple disadvantage, including people who are younger or older, BAMER (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and/or Refugee), carers, disabled, different faith groups etc. These personal stories, combined with findings from academic research, will guide what work needs to take place.
The Inclusion Statement which was launched as part of SAYiT’s ‘16 Days of Action against Gender Based Violence’ social media campaign in December, forms part of a larger body of work undertaken by the ‘Call it Out project’, which includes:
- Training packages for professionals working in domestic abuse and other relevant agencies to be better able to support LGBT+ people.
- An awareness campaign run with and for LGBT+ people to improve identification of domestic abuse in LGBT+ relationships.
- The development of a Kitemark which will be awarded to services, letting LGBT+ people know that a service is an LGBT+ inclusive space.
The Call it Out team are also keen to hear the experiences of any LGBT+ people who may have been affected by Domestic Abuse.
To find out more about this project please email: [email protected]