Organisations and services for LGBT+ survivors of domestic abuse:

Any adult can experience domestic abuse from a partner, ex-partner, or family member. All cases of domestic abuse should be taken seriously, and each individual given the support they need.

People who are LGBT+ can, of course, access help from the usual specialist organisations and services, but there are also a few domestic abuse organisations particularly for people who are LGBT+, and for the people who are concerned for them. If you have a friend, family member, neighbour, or colleague who is LGBT+ and is experiencing domestic abuse, do contact these organisations for support and information. They can provide advice about how you can help the survivor, and can tell you about the specialist support available. As a friend, family member, neighbour, or colleague, it can be useful to know about these organisations, so that you can give the details to the person, when they are ready to reach out for help.

For some people, their GP (doctor) is the person they are most likely to tell. This is because doctors are seen as trusted individuals, who can help survivors to manage any health and wellbeing symptoms they experience as a result of abuse. GPs also have a role in referring people who have experienced domestic abuse for specialist support, and for recording details of abuse in the person’s medical record. This recorded information may be helpful at a later date if the abuse, or the relationship separation, results in a court case.