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
…the birds were chirping, somebody outside our office in Southwark had found their car horn and was beeeeeeeping it furiously, and then the buzzer went. It was Denise from Spectrum London!
We met Denise at our re-launch. She was representing Spectrum London, the trans peer support forum for all trans people and those questioning their gender. Denise is also a trustee of LGBT Consortium – an organisation who have helped Broken Rainbow with many things (and grateful we are, too. Working with other LGBT organisations is fundamental to providing a good service to users).
Anyway. Denise came in and we had a very productive two hour meeting on how we can serve the trans community better. Trans people can face different issues to those of the LGB community, including the limited refuge space, and the risk of support agencies making inappropriate presumptions about a person’s gender and sexuality.
It seems that many organisations adopt the LGBT moniker but fail to provide for the T. It shouldn’t be a tick box to check, it should be something you actively try to work on. And as such, we came away with some great plans for working with Denise to help trans people who experience domestic violence and abuse, including perhaps running a survey on trans experiences and needs.
Signed: Broken Rainbow Office Team
If you have any ideas of your own regarding improving our service to the trans community then email us at mail@broken-rainbow.org.uk
