Understanding LGBT domestic violence and hate crime and issues around housing

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Understanding LGBT domestic violence and hate
crime and issues around housing

• Robin Newman
• Same sex domestic violence and LGBT hate crime
  caseworker

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This role

• Work in an outreach capacity
• Work with victims of LGBT domestic violence and
  hate crime
• Provide practical and emotional support
• Drop-in service
• Advocate on behalf of clients with police,
  council, housing associations, counselling
  services and other relevant organisations
• Provide training to Council inc pilot for all
  front line housing staff
• Involved in development of victims witnesses
  training
• National LGBT domestic violence forum

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Definition of LGBT Domestic violence

• LGBT Domestic violence - "Any incident of
  threatening behaviour, violence or abuse
  (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or
  emotional) between adults who are or have been
  intimate partners or family members, regardless
  of gender or sexuality."
• Prevalence - 1 in 4

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Types of domestic violence

• Physical
• Mental
• Sexual
• Financial

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Definition of LGBT hate crime

• LGBT hate crime
• Any incident, which is perceived to be
  homophobic by the victim or any person (that is
  directed to impact upon those know or perceived
  to be lesbians, gay men, bisexual or transgender
  people.

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Types of LGBT hate crime

• Verbal harassment
• Homo/bi/transphobic graffiti
• Physical attack
• Damage/destruction of property
• Threat of violence
• Stalking
• Murder

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Domestic violence - myths and realities

• MYTH perpetrators are always bigger, stronger or
  more butch whereas victims are smaller and
  weaker
• REALITY A perpetrator, when angry can do a lot
  of physical and mental damage. Size, weight,
  build, masculinity, femininity or other
  physical attribute does not affect whether
  someone will be a victim or perpetrator
• MYTH LGBT domestic violence only ever occurs
  between two partners
• REALITY although it is more common for this to
  be the case, LGBT DV can be perpetrated by a
  family member, room mate, pimp or anyone living
  in the domestic violence
• MYTH LGBT domestic violence occurs with people
  who hang out in bars or those from poor working
  class backgrounds
• REALITY perpetrators can be from all sectors of
  the community, all education levels, be involved
  in social issues, different socio-economic
  levels, work in the domestic violence sector. No
  group is exempt

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Domestic violence - myths and realities
(continued)

• MYTH It only happens whenso thats the problem.
  Its not that they mean to be abusive
• REALITY Drugs, alcohol, previous abuse, HIV,
  jealousy, work stress, homophobia, racism may all
  combine with DV, but they do not excuse it or
  provide an explanation for it
• MYTH It is much easier for someone in an LGBT
  abusive relationship to leave
• REALITY LGBT relationships are just as
  inter-linked and complicated as heterosexual
  relationships. There are barriers as there are
  little services to help the LGBT community
  fleeing DV or facing secondary victimisation from
  service providers such housing officers
• MYTH The law does not protect LGB victims of DV
• REALITY Same sex domestic violence is included
  in the Domestic violence, crime and victims Act
  2004

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Effects of LGBT domestic violence and hate crime

• Isolation
• Low self esteem/lack of confidence
• Suicidal/self harm
• Depression
• Feeling of guilt or embarrassment
• Loss of family connection
• Physical and/or emotional scars

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Issues in Housing

• Secondary victimisation from service providers
• Refuge/hostel space
• Homo/bi/transphobia in refuges
• Gay men and trans-men
• Training in LGBT DV and hate crime
• Signposting and partnership working

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Signposting partnership working

• Know what resources exist in your area
• Importance of signposting and partnership working
• Useful contacts
• Engaging with the LGBT community

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Organisations to know

• Broken Rainbow (08452 60 44 60)
• Refuge (0808 2000 247)
• Stonewall Housing (020 7359 5767)
• Albert Kennedy Trust (020 7831 6562)
• GALOP (020 7704 2040)
• MIND (0845 766 0163)
• Refugee Council (020 7346 6777)
• Local community based groups re LGBT such as Bede
  House (020 7232 1107)
• Local Victim Support
• Local hate crime unit (LGBT LO is applicable)
• Local sexual health organisations
• Local mental health organisations
• Local mediation service
• Local ASB/enforcement service
• Local social groups

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Recommendations

• Homo/bi/transphobia needs to be addressed in all
  housing policies
• LGBT-specific supported accommodation
• Training of staff to have an awareness of LGBT
  domestic violence and LGBT hate crime
• Need to improve assessment at HPU when
  identifying vulnerability priority need
• Signposting partnership working

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• Any questions?
• CONTACT robinnewman_at_bedehouse.org or 020 7232
  1107