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
...community safety partnership is the latest authority to launch the sanctuary scheme, meaning lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people experiencing domestic violence and abuse, can apply to receive funds to make their houses more secure from their abuser.
Jodie Foster made them famous and now over 171 local authorities in England have followed suit. Panic rooms for victims of domestic violence are being fitted with spy glass, mortice locks, bolts and steel hinges to make their chosen rooms safe if their abusive partner returns. If the police feel there is significant risk, fireproof letterboxes, and second phone lines can also be installed.
It started in 2002 when the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) at Harrow Police Station identified the need to protect victims of repeat domestic violence incidents, and not by moving them away from their home (and uprooting entire families: children moving schools, mothers or fathers finding new jobs, etc). They wanted individuals to regain control in their own homes, and they needed to deal with the honest fact that perpetrators of domestic violence would often return to the home to try to inflict more fear.
They needed a plan. And with the help of London Borough of Harrow Housing Department they started the Sanctuary Scheme.
The government has allocated £47.2 million to local authorities to help them tackle homelessness. This is the pot that can, if a local authority decides to take up the project, be used to fund Sanctuary Schemes.
East Riding Of Yorkshire council have found it is not always appropriate to secure just one room in rural/remote properties and are improving security of the whole property.
Some councils have gone so far as to take up on Fones4Safety Scheme which takes old and unwanted mobile phones and reprogrammed them so 999 can be dialled by pressing any button.
However, critics of the scheme have been damning. The End Violence Against Women coalition said the approach was, “mopping up the problem once it has occurred, rather than working to ensure that women no longer experience violence.”
Whatever your thoughts on the matter, the option to…well, have an option is always welcomed.
From: Broken Rainbow Office
References: Publications and records, Daily Hansard - Written Answers: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070117/text/70117w0022.htm [accessed: 26.3.8]
Polly Curtis and Alison Benjamin, Councils fund ‘panic rooms’ for domestic violence victims: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2006/feb/22/socialcare.politics [accessed 26.3.8]
Communities for local government, Options for Setting up a Sanctuary Scheme: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/154295 [accessed 25.3.8]
