Date:
Since the beginning of June, Woking Borough Council, Surrey Police and local service providers have been working together to #BreakTheSilence surrounding domestic abuse and are now reaching out to the LGBT+ community to remind them that same sex relationships are no different to any other.
Research commissioned by Surrey Police found one in four LGBT+ people are abused by a partner at some point in their lives and that threatening to ‘out’ someone is a common form of control.
When it comes to seeking help, LGTB+ people face additional barriers such as not wanting to disclose their sexual orientation to the police or other organisations, fears about a lack of understanding, and/or no support from family and friends.
Cllr Colin Kemp, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said: “No one, regardless of age, gender, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, mental or physical ability, should be frightened, controlled, hurt or abused by a partner or family member.
“There is help and support available and our #BreakTheSilence campaign is about raising awareness of these services and encouraging people to speak up.
“We’ve added the Pride colours to our window display along Commercial Way to show that the same help and confidential support is available to members of Woking’s LGTB+ community.”
If you, or someone you know, are affected by domestic abuse, please contact the Surrey-wide specialist support service, Your Sanctuary. You can call the Your Sanctuary helpline number, 01483 776822 (available 9am to 9pm, seven days a week), or chat to someone online at yoursanctuary.org.uk/chat
Other support services
GALOP
National LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline
0800 999 5428
www.galop.org.uk
Gender Trust National Helpline
For help and information about gender issues
0800 612 3010
www.gendertrust.org.uk
Respect
For people who are abusive to their partners and want to stop
0808 802 4040
www.respectphoneline.org.uk