LGBT

Moray Women’s Aid provides support for women survivors of domestic abuse in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Domestic abuse affects people of all genders, sexual orientations, races, religions and those with disabilities. We often see the focus of domestic abuse centred around men’s violence towards women within cisgendered heterosexual relationships, which means that LGBT+ people sometimes find it difficult to recognise that they are experiencing abuse, and therefore don’t ask for help or support. Moray Women’s Aid is here to help.

The rates of domestic abuse experienced in the LGBTQ+ community is akin to the rates of domestic abuse experienced by cisgendered, heterosexual women. We also recognise that domestic abuse in the LGBTQ+ is underreported, similar to abuse experienced in heterosexual relationships. Where there are many similarities between the abuse experienced by LGBT+ people and heterosexual women/men, we also understand that there are additional barriers which could prevent someone leaving their relationship and accessing support, such as:

outing someone or threatening to out someone
having negaitve experiences with reporting/ support services
having a belief that non- LGBT services are not for LGBT people
having concerns about experiencing homophobia and transphobia in service provision

The impact of domestic abuse within an LGBTQ+ relationship is just as devastating. Abuse is not just physical and physical violence is rarely isolated. It often includes emotional, sexual and financial abuse as well as jealous and controlling behaviours.

28% of LGBT+ victims of domestic abuse have attempted suicide, compared to 15%of victims who don't identify as LGBT+.
LGBT+ victims of domestic abuse are more than twice as likely to have self-harmed (32% vs 14%).
15% of LGBT+ victims have been abused by muliple perpetrators.

If you are worried that you, or someone you care about is experiencing domestic abuse, please get in touch and speak to one of our team.
Call us on 01343 548549 or email admin@moraywomensaid.co.uk
If you or a loved one requires LGBTQ+ support, organisations include:

GALOP: Galop - the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity
LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 999 5428
Conversion Therapy Helpline 0800 130 3335
LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline 020 7704 2040
Scotlands Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline: Home - Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (sdafmh.org.uk)
tel:0800 027 1234
helpline@sdafmh.org.uk