Broken Rainbow is the only UK-wide domestic violence service offering confidential support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people. In addition to our helpline (see number below) we work to raise awareness around the devastating impact domestic violence can have on victims’ lives, by providing training and support to generic domestic violence agencies and others.
Broken Rainbow is keen to build links with individuals and organisations throughout the UK, so get in touch if you think we can help you in any way.
Contact:
Website - www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
Administration - 08452 60 55 60
e-mail - mail@broken-rainbow.org.uk
HELPLINE: 08452 60 44 60
Opening times: Monday 2-8pm, Wednesday 10-1pm, Thursday 2-8pm
Domestic abuse affects around one in four LGBT people in the UK. It is not always physical; it can take many forms including emotional, financial and sexual abuse. It can include controlling a person’s contact with family and friends, withholding affection, isolation and verbal threats.
IN AN EMERGENCY: CALL 999
…at Broken Rainbow. The first couple of days I spent in the office catching up with paperwork and having a couple of meetings.
Met with the City of London Police to discuss how we can do some work together on same sex domestic violence. Although the city has very small resident population, it does deal with a surprisingly high number of domestic violence incidents between same sex couples. We explored ideas about joint advertising of both our services to encourage victims to report. I shall develop this idea further once I have met with Islington Police on Monday. Islington has one of the highest numbers of LGBT population within the capital and thriving and active LGBT community.
Wednesday was spent in the lovely seaside city of Brighton. It was a lovely day, sun shining and a nice sea breeze. We were down there to discuss new service delivery developments within the city. The Independent Domestic Violence Advisory (IDVA) service nationally has taken off over the last few years, and now areas with a large LGBT populations are thinking about having dedicated LGBT people in the role.
Funding has been secured to have a Gay Mens’ IDVA for the city and this will certainly help to increase support and help for GBT men.
In addition there is to be further research carried out into the nature and extent of LGBT domestic violence in the city and will recommend ways to increase reporting. This work will build on the Count Me In Too research carried out last year by Dr Kath Brown at the University of Sussex. The work will be done by a development officer.
So, exciting developments in Brighton and this will hopefully be a pilot for other such work elsewhere in the UK.
To find out more about IDVAs follow the link to CAADA’s website. CAADA train the IDVAs across the UK
After lots of talk, we adjourned to a favourite watering hole, sitting outside in the sun reflecting on the day and enjoying the pleasant early evening. Brighton is a vibrant city, always something to see, lots going on, fresh sea air…. a move one day to the seaside…?
Thursday and it must be Leicester. I was in the city for The Women’s Aid National Conference at the University. Rita and I were running a workshop on the experience of lesbian women and domestic violence. A group of 14 delegates attended and our presentation was well received with lots of interaction between those present–some of whom had worked with victims and survivors of same sex domestic violence. Many had heard Rita interviewed on Women’s Hour a coupe of weeks ago and were thus keen to know more.
Enjoyed a relatively quiet weekend, playing squash on Sunday as usual before undoing all the good with a pint and a chat after! Ah well, off swimming tonight at the gym to keep the levels of fitness up!
