16 Days of Activism – LGBTQ+

SIGN

• Complete the consultation on banning so-called “conversion therapy” by Friday 10 December at 11:45pm. “Conversion therapy” is a form of domestic abuse and predominantly affects LGBTQ+ people. Being LGBTQ+ is not an illness and we do not need to be cured. So-called “conversion therapies” cause harm and lifelong consequences to those who experience them. You can support the government’s move towards banning so-called “conversion therapy” by completing this consultation - Open consultation overview: Banning conversion therapy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• Brighton & Hove County Council are welcoming you to have your say on the draft domestic abuse accommodation and support strategy for Sussex by Sunday 19^th December. Under Part 4 of the new Act, Tier One authorities now have a legal duty to support victims of domestic abuse in refuges and other safe accommodation. Refuge provision for LGBTQ+ survivors is scarce in the UK, as seen in recent research completed by Galop. We’re calling for long-term LGBTQ+ refuge provision across Sussex. Too often the funding to provide LGBTQ+ refuge provision is short-term (often only 12 months), whereby the time a project is up and running, the project must come to an end. Refuges are a lifeline to LGBTQ+ survivors and the need for LGBTQ+ refuge provision isn’t short-term, we require secure, long-term funding to be able to deliver the service that LGBTQ+ survivors really need and deserve. Too often, LGBTQ+ survivors are falling between the cracks. You can support the call for long-term LGBTQ+ refuge accommodation by completing this consultation - Have your say on the draft domestic abuse accommodation and support strategy for Sussex - The questionnaire - Brighton & Hove City Council - Citizen Space (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

DISCUSS

• Have that talk with a friend you have been worried about. Ask them about their relationship, tell them you’ve noticed some things and that you’re worried about them. Remain calm, don’t judge them, and listen to them. Tell them that there is help available that is non-judgmental and confidential. Domestic abuse isn’t just the issue of those directly involved, it is all of our responsibility. And remember, domestic abuse doesn’t just occur between partners and ex-partners, it happens with family members too.
• If you would like more advice on how to speak to someone you’re worried may be experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact our LGBTQ+ Specialist for advice and information.

CHALLENGE

• If you hear someone, knowingly or unknowingly, perpetuating myths about LGBTQ+ domestic abuse, challenge them. One of the greatest things we can do to help LGBTQ+ people experiencing domestic abuse is to change the narrative around who can/can’t be a survivor of abuse, who can/can’t be a perpetrator of domestic abuse and what domestic abuse looks like in the context of the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ people seek help for domestic abuse at a lower rate than the rest of the population, largely due to heteronormative conceptions of domestic abuse preventing people recognising and reporting their experiences. Many fear they won’t be believed because they do not fit the traditional narrative of a victim of domestic abuse. Everyone can experience, and perpetrate, domestic abuse, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, size, stature, age, class, ethnicity or disability.

DONATE

• Galop urgently needs to raise £10,000 to support LGBT+ victims of conversion therapy. They have launched a National Conversion Therapy Helpline to support victims and survivors of so-called “conversion therapy”. You can donate here.

• Make a donation to RISE. Without donations from people like you, we cannot continue our vital crisis support, practical guidance, and emotional care so that women, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals affected by domestic abuse can rebuild their lives. You can donate here.

• LGBTQ+ Casework

Our LGBTQ+ Specialist can provide one-to-one support to LGBTQ+ people who have experienced domestic abuse in their lifetime. They can offer information, support, and advocacy around housing, accessing benefits and financial support as well as accessing mental health support. They can also provide ongoing emotional support as well as referrals or signposting to other specialist services and organisations. You do not need to have reported domestic abuse to the police to access this support. To get in touch with our LGBTQ+ Specialist, email [email protected] or call our LGBTQ+ helpline (details below).

• LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Helpline - Every Monday 5pm – 7pm – 01273 622 828

Our LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse helpline runs every Monday from 5pm – 7pm. If you think you may be experiencing abuse by a partner/ex-partner or family member and you would like some advice, information, and support, you can call our LGBTQ+ helpline to speak to our LGBTQ+ Specialist on 01273 622 828 on Mondays 5pm – 7pm. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] and we can arrange another time to contact you outside of these hours.

• *NEW* LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Live Webchat – Every Monday 5pm – 7pm

We will also be launching a new live webchat service in January 2022 where you can speak to our LGBTQ+ Specialist anonymously and confidentially. Our LGBTQ+ Specialist can offer advice, information, and support to those who think they may be experiencing domestic abuse.

• *NEW* LGBTQ+ Survivor Recovery Group

We are happy to announce that we will be running an 8-week group for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced domestic abuse (by a partner, ex-partner or family member).

The group will focus on understanding and recovering from unhealthy relationships and abuse, developing strategies for coping with the effects of trauma, building empowerment and self-confidence, and learning how to set healthy boundaries in your relationships.

The group will begin in February 2022 (more details to follow).

LGBTQ+ people of all gender identities and sexual orientations welcome.

Open to Brighton & Hove residents only.

Please register your interest by emailing us at [email protected]