3. Working with people experiencing abuse in same sex relationships

4. Housekeeping Toilets Breaks Fire exits Time keeping
Packs and certificates and resources

5. Group agreement Sensitivity Respect Confidentiality Mobiles
Non-judgemental

6. Aims
Increase understanding of domestic violence and abuse in same sex relationships
Explore the context in which LGBT people access services
Identify barriers to accessing services
Improve knowledge of referral options and resources

7. Introductions
Kerry Sullivan

8. Name
Organisation/ role
What you hope to gain from the day.

9. Context
1 in 4 lesbians and bisexual women have experienced abuse in a relationship
Half of all gay and bisexual men had experienced at least one incident of domestic abuse from family member or partner since in 3 in relationship with a man. (Stonewall 2011/ 12)
60 % of trans men and women identified that a partner had done something that could be defined as abusive. (2010 Out of Sight Out of Mind: Transgender People’s Experiences of Domestic Abuse)

10. Quiz
a) What is the estimated national population of LGBT+ people in England? (as a percentage). b) What does MARAC stand for? What is it? c) In the 12 months to the end of March 2018 what was the percentage of survivors heard at MARAC who were LGBT+ (nationally)? d) How many LGBT+ survivors were heard at Nottingham MARAC in the period 17/18? e) What percentage of LGBT+ people were identified as having experiencing domestic abuse in the previous year? f) What does DASH RIC stand for?
10 minutes
2017 Public Health England estimates between 2.5% and 5.8 % Government population survey. In some areas it will be more and others less. Results for Scotland and Wales show similar estimates.
b) Multi-agency risk assessment conference
c) Safelives dataset – 1.2% of cases discussed at MARAC were LGBT+ victims/ ssurvivors. Safelives suggests that MARAC’s should see 2.5% of referrals for LGBT+ people.. Over a quarter of MARAC’s nationally (26%) recorded no LGBT+ survivors at all.
d) In 17/18 there were 14 cases identified as LGBT+ referred to the MARAC out of 638 which is 2%.
e) 11% Stonewall research (2018 LGBT in Britain: Home and Communities)
f) Domestic Abuse Stalking Harassment and Honour based violence risk indicator checklist

11. What is the estimated national population of LGBT+ people in England
What is the estimated national population of LGBT+ people in England? (as a percentage).
2.5 – 5.8
2017 Public Health estimate and government population survey. Similar in Wales and Scotland. In some places more and young people now if asked whether they would consider same sex attraction
Some 2.3% of UK men said they were LGB, compared with 1.6% of women.
You Gov survey Asked to plot themselves on a 'sexuality scale', 23% of British people choose something other than 100% heterosexual – and the figure rises to 49% among year olds. overall, 89% of the population describes themselves as heterosexual -

12. What does MARAC stand for? What is it?
Multi-agency meeting that considers high risk domestic abuse cases that shares information and put in place a series of actions to mitigate risk.
High risk of serious injury, harm or death
Multi-agency risk assessment conference

13. In the 12 months to the end of March 2018 what was the percentage of survivors heard at MARAC who were LGBT+ (nationally)?
SafeLives recommend 2.5 %
1.2 %

14. How many LGBT+ survivors were heard at Nottingham MARAC in the period 17/18?
14 cases 2%

15. What percentage of LGBT+ people were identified as having experiencing domestic abuse in the previous year?
11%

16. What does DASH RIC stand for?
Domestic Abuse Stalking, Harassment and Honour Based Abuse Risk Indicator Checklist

17. In the 12 months to the end of March 2018 the percentage of survivors heard at MARAC Nationally who were LGBT+.
SafeLives recommend 2.5 %
1.2 %

18. LGBT+ survivors that were heard at Nottingham MARAC in the period 17/18
14 cases 2%

19. LGBT+ survivors and domestic abuse
- Highly unlikely to go to the police – less than 9%
- Even less likely to use mainstream specialist DVA
- After friends most likely to use counsellors and therapists: NHS private, or third sector
- Between 22% and 40% told no-one
 Fear not being believed, understood, taken seriously
 Fear being discriminated against or partner being discriminated against
 Fears about being outed / confidentiality
(Donovan and Hester, 2014, Donovan et al., 2014)
COHSAR 2004 then follow up UK-wide survey of domestic abuse in same sex relationships (800 responses, 746 usable questionnaires).
2. Five focus groups with lesbians, gay men and heterosexual women and men of different ages and ethnicities (21 individuals).
3. Semi-structured interviews with 67 individuals (41 lesbian/gay/queer, 3 bisexual, and 23 heterosexual
Approx 10% fit ‘intimate terrorism’ - Johnson typology  Very little evidence of ‘mutual abuse’
 Similarities of experience across gender and sexuality of DVA: physical, emotional, financial, sexual – and identity abuse
 Younger people and working class people most likely to report DVA
 Impact of public story of DVA on recognition and help-seeking practices
 First same-sex relationship, age in community as power, identity abuse
 Relationship Rules and Implications of the practices of love for DVA relationships
Men more likely to go to Police 11% to 9% women. Men more likely to go to GP 17% to 12%.. 22% didn’t tell anyone. Friends, then counsellors/ therapists(30%) followed by family highest

21. Activity One: Match the term with the definition
Definitions:
Activity One:
Match the term with the definition

22. Definitions Lesbian/ gay woman Gay Man Bisexual/ Bi
Transgendered/ Trans
Heterosexual
Heterosexist
Homophobia/ biphobia/ transphobia
Bi or Bisexual is an umbrella term used to describe an emotional, romantic and/or sexual orientation towards more than one gender. Cisgender or cis Someone whose gender identity is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth. Non-trans is also used by some people. gay Refers to a man who has an emotional, romantic and/or sexual orientation towards men. Also a generic term for lesbian and gay sexuality – some women define themselves as gay rather than lesbian. gender identity A person’s innate sense of their own gender, whether male, female or something else, which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned at birth. intersex A term used to describe a person who may have the biological attributes of both sexes or whose biological attributes do not fit with societal assumptions about what constitutes male or female. Intersex people may identify as male, female or non-binary. lesbian Refers to a woman who has an emotional, romantic and/or sexual orientation towards women.
lgBt+ The acronym for lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. Non-binary An umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’. Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely. Sexual orientation A person’s emotional, romantic and/or sexual attraction to another person. trans An umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, transsexual, gender-queer (GQ), gender-fluid, non-binary, gendervariant, crossdresser, genderless, agender, nongender, third gender, two-spirit, bi-gender, trans man, trans woman, trans masculine and trans feminine.

23. Internalised homobhobia/ biphobia
Out/ Coming Out
In the closet/ ‘acting straight’
Multiple oppression/ intersectionality

24. Other definitions
Asexual
Cisgender
Gender
Gender queer
Queer
Intersex

25. Definitions: Summing up
Remember:
Someone doesn’t need to be sexually active to define themselves in terms of sexuality (e.g)
People may define and re-define their sexuality throughout their lives e.g.
People may be sexually active with someone of the same gender but not define themselves as LGB (e.g)
A trans person can experience domestic abuse from a same or opposite sex partner.

26. Understanding hetero-sexism and its impact.
Reminder:
Hetero-sexism: A set of beliefs that assume that heterosexuality is the only natural and normal sexuality

27. Do LGBT people still experience prejudice?
Activity Two

28. In your group discuss whether LGBT people experience prejudice and if so give examples:
Workplace / employment
Social Life / Relationships
Media
Family
School/ College
Health
Other

29. Impact of hetero-sexism and prejudice
Work Place:
Impacts on job offers, promotions
May not feel safe enough to be out
Bullying
Conditions of employment may treat LGBT workers less favourably than heterosexual workers
Invisible (assumptions about sexuality) /social

30. School /College Bullying May feel invisible
Few mentions of well known LGBT people in syllabus’s
Few support groups within a school setting
Healthy and relationship education: is it inclusive and name sexuality

31. Family May be rejected by family after ‘coming out’
May experience physical and emotional abuse from family due to sexuality
May be made homeless/ told to leave home by the family
For younger people family assumptions about who they might be seeing ( have you got a girlfriend/ boyfriend yet?)
Not asked about their life/ family/ friends/ partner
Partners not invited to family events

32. Health
Often - Health Services assumption that all patients are heterosexual
Some health needs may not be identified due to the above assumption
May have to deal with homophobia/ bi-phobia/ transphobia from staff and/ or other patients
Health needs ghettoised

33. Entertainment/ Social
Until recently – limited number of role models in the world of film/ music/ TV
Film and media has historically portrayed stereotypes/ problematic relationships for LGBT people
Still may not be safe for LGBT people to access ‘straight’ venues and be openly affectionate
Risk being abused for being affectionate in public
Homophobic/ Transphobic/ Biphobic abuse towards person/ home/ property

34. Do LGBT people still experience prejudice?
One in ten have witnessed staff in their workplace expressing the belief that someone can be ‘cured’ of being gay, lesbian or bisexual.
25% of ‘out’ lesbian, gay and bisexual health and social care staff disclosed personal experience of bullying/ poor treatment from colleagues in the last 5 years
1 in 5 patient facing staff have heard their colleagues make negative remarks about people who are trans or use discriminatory language such as ‘she-male’ ‘tranny’

35. Stonewall 2017
Hate Crime Against LGBT people has increased 78% since 2013
1 in 5 had experienced an incident of hate crime in the last 12 months

36. -
Gareth Thomas 2018 – ex Rugby – first out gay rugby player – homophobic attack 2018 – talked about it on twitter video
Northern Ireland Drill attack on woman may have been homophobic attack, police say

37. Potential impact of prejudice and hetero-sexism on access to services
Services miss/ fail to respond to the specific needs and requirements of LGBT people
LGBT people feel invisible/ lose faith in agencies capacity to respond to their needs
LGBT people don’t disclose for fear of poor or prejudiced response or for fear of being judged
Lack of understanding about the range of ways LGBT people form relationships may lead to unequal responses (e.g. Poorer responses for LGBT people who do not live ‘conventional’ lifestyles)

38. BREAK

39. LGBT+ Experience of domestic abuse
Activity Three

40. LGBT+ experience of abuse
List specific types of abuse that LGBT+ people may experience
Include any abuses that might be experienced by an LGBT+ person as well as general abuse e.g: threat of outing.

41. One in five lesbians and one six gay men who responded who had experienced domestic abuse had been kicked, hit or had objects thrown at them.
For Trans men and women – physical abuse may be targeted at parts of the body related to gender.
Physical
She used a cutlery knife or a chopping knife to cut my arms, sometimes she would stab forks into me...

42. Threats of sexual assault
Sexual assault and rape
Safe words or boundaries disrespected
Refusal to have safer sex
Sexual activity that traumatises surgically altered body parts
Sexual abuse of parts of the body that someone is ashamed of or detached from
Sexual
Six percent of lesbians and nine percent of gay men had been forced to have unwanted sex.

43. Emotional/ control
Threats - Threats to out
Controlling behaviours
Control of access to the scene/ other LGBT friends
Financial abuse
Criticism for not being a real man/ woman/ lesbian/ gay man
Forcing to expose scars
Verbal abuse related to sexuality/ gender
And then, sort of like the texts and the phone calls...first I was like angry and then I was frustrated and then sort of scared about what he could do.’ (Donovan 2006)
Donovan 2006Comparing Domestic Abuse in Same Sex and Heterosexual Relationships Catherine Donovan, Marianne Hester, Jonathan Holmes & Melanie McCarry November 2006

44. LGBT experience of domestic abuse – GALOP helpline 2018
LGBT+ victims/survivors share similar types of domestic abuse as their heterosexual peers, but their experiences often differ because their sexuality and gender identity.
LGBT+ victims/survivors disclosing domestic abuse often report multiple vulnerabilities as a result of their sexual orientation, gender identity, physical/mental ill health or substance abuse.
The majority of LGBT+ victims/survivors disclosed domestic abuse from intimate ‘same-sex’ partners, though a significant proportion reported abuse from family members, particularly younger victims/survivors, those from black and minority ethnic communities and trans men.
GALOP 2018 Magić, J. & Kelley, P. (2018). LGBT+ people’s experiences of domestic abuse: a report on Galop’s domestic abuse advocacy service. London: Galop, the LGBT+ anti-violence charity

45. LGBT experience of domestic abuse – GALOP helpline 2018
86% disclosed verbal and emotional abuse,
71% disclosed physical abuse,
18% disclosed sexual abuse,
17% disclosed harassment/stalking and
12% disclosed financial abuse
85% of victims/survivors disclosed overlapping types of abuse (e.g. verbal, physical and financial abuse)

46. Myths and barriers
Activity Four:

47. Myths/ stereotypes and barriers
Group 1: Myths and stereotypes
Group 2: Barriers
What myths/ stereotypes about LGBT people and/ or their experience of abuse impact on their access to services and disclosure of domestic abuse?
E.g perpetrator always male.
What barriers (real and perceived) are there for LGBT people in accessing services and disclosing domestic abuse?

48. Summing up: Myths and stereotypes
If abuse occurs the abuser will be more ‘butch’ and the survivor more ‘feminine’
Abuse in same sex relationships isn’t as bad/ is less violent
Women cant really physically hurt their partner because of lack of physical strength
Women can’t sexually abuse their female partners
It’s easier to leave for people in same sex relationships
LGBT people don’t have children
Women aren’t violent
Men can’t be victims/ can protect themselves
It must be mutual because they are both men/ women/ same size

49. Barriers Services not understanding the needs of LGBT people
Homophobia/ Transphobia/ Biphobia
Fear of homophobia/ Transphobia/ Biphobia
Community denial
Stereotypes and myths
Lack of information/ awareness campaigns
Fear that other LGBT people will find out about disclosure (community networks)

50. WEB EXERCISE – BARRIERS TO LEAVING
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
WEB EXERCISE – BARRIERS TO LEAVING

51. Lunch

53. Recognising, encouraging disclosure and Responding

54. Increasing disclosure and engagement
Activity Five
What does your organisation do currently for clients who are LGBT and experiencing domestic abuse?
What are the barriers for you when engaging LGBT survivors?
Are there barriers for you to asking about sexuality or gender?
Ask about how it feels to ask about domestic abuse/ sexuality/ gender?

55. Increasing disclosure and engagement
Recognise the skills you already have in responding to domestic abuse and enhance your understanding of the experience of domestic abuse for LGBT people
Build skills by accessing training
Within agencies actively remove the barriers for LGBT people accessing services (first step is knowing what these are)

56. Summing up Practice asking about gender and sexuality
Ask about gender/ sexuality and domestic abuse in safe and appropriate ways (routine assessment questions/ diversity monitoring).
Embed knowledge into practice
Make it clear to LGBT+ survivors you are LGBT+ friendly
Have posters and resources available and accessible

57.
5 minutes

58. Responding to domestic abuse in same sex relationships

59. Assessment tools and resources - overview
Utilise appropriate standard dva and safeguarding resources and tools to provide effective support
ROAR risk assessment
DASH RIC/ teen DASH RIC
MARF (City) / MASH
Multiple perpetrator tool
Safety Planning
Referral options

60. When to use the additional risk considerations.
When you work with or have contact with a survivor and they are in a relationship with someone of the same sex or
They are trans and are experiencing abuse or have experienced abuse from a current or former partner or
They are LGBT+ and have experienced intimate or partner violence from an ex-partner of the same or different gender/ sex
They are experiencing, are at risk of or have experienced abuse from their family

61. The form This form has 19 special considerations They include:
Specific risks posed by the perpetrator or perpetrators
Characteristics of the individual
Specifics about the relationship
Specific forms of abuse

62. What are the factors?
The factors were compiled following a piece of work by ROAR Project, LGBT DAF, Stonewall Housing Project and piloted as part of their Advocacy Service

63. Additional Training Training specifically on the Risk Considerations:
15/ – 11.30
Djanogly Learning Trust

64. Referral options Local Domestic Violence and Abuse Services
Local Sexual Violence and Abuse Services
LGBT Specialist Services
Domestic Violence Abuse / Sexual Violence National Services (GALOP)
Referral Flow charts
Information cards and leaflets

65. Referral route Lesbian/ Bi women WAIS 24- Hour Helpline
Sexual violence/ abuse services
Gay/ Bi Men
Equation
Sexual violence/ abuse services

66. GALOP – National Helpline
T: E:
Opening Times:
10am – 5pm Monday 10am – 5pm Tuesday 10am – 8pm Wednesday 10am – 8pm Thursday 10am – 5pm Friday
1pm – 5pm Tuesday is trans specific service.
Online chat:
5pm - 8pm Wednesday 5pm - 8pm Thursday 

67. Break

68. Case studies

69. Jack What issues need to be considered with regards to domestic abuse?
Any other issues that need to be considered?
Immediate and long term health impacts
Where can he be referred/ any pathways that need to be followed?
What support can agencies provide?

70. Chem Sex
ChemSex is a term that is used when people are having sex, which involves using one or more of three specific drugs (chems) in any combination. People take part in ChemSex for a number of different reasons, some find it increases sexual stimulation, for other people it can reduce their inhibitions.
ChemSex can take place in groups, and it can often last for days or over a weekend
Several High profile cases where someone has died as a result of being coerced into chemsex, or experienced forced sex. Capacity to consent can be severely limited.

71. Sadie
What issues need to be considered with regards to domestic violence and abuse?
Any other issues that need to be considered?
What pathways can you follow? Explore risk?
Where can she be referred?

72. Additional complexities:
Complexities of working when both partners/ ex-partners are male or female:
Assessment processes
Practical considerations
Policies and referral options if two people from the same relationship are referred into your service

73. Activity seven In pairs:
What considerations are there if both people in a relationship are in your service or are referred to your service?
What does your service need to consider?

74. Keep safeguarding at the centre of any responses
Practice options
Ensure your organisation develops a policy and procedure that highlights what to do if there are counter-allegations or where both people in a current or previous relationship are referred into your service – who can you work with/ where can you refer.
Utilise tools to assist with identifying primary perpetrators and risks e.g. Respect Matrix and primary perpetrator assessment (page 26)
Ensure you have referral process or tactical options when this happens
Develop practical responses for working with uncertainty
e.g. contacting service users when both male or female (agreed codes, speak with other agencies where the survivor is already engaged, practice ending a call making a reasonable excuse/ don’t say anything at the start of a conversation that will put survivor at risk)
Keep safeguarding at the centre of any responses

75. Identifying the Primary Perpetrator
Exercise
Identifying the Primary Perpetrator
What might help to indicate who the primary perpetrator is?
How might these indicators manifest in the ways in which the perpetrator and survivor present?
Whole group exercise

76. Identifying the Primary Perpetrator
Ever-present partner.
Background information held by other services.
Survivor not open to involvement from other agencies
Perpetrator may reject services to isolate survivor
Whole group exercise

77. Identifying the Primary Perpetrator
Survivor has to be answerable to perpetrator for all decisions/actions.
Perpetrator appears outwardly charming, saying all the right things
Survivor may change their day-to-day life to prevent abuse/placate.
Whole group exercise

78. Identifying the Primary Perpetrator
Who is Isolated
Feeling no sense of personal choice.
No financial independence.
Minimising/excusing injuries.
Blames self and defends the perpetrator
Whole group exercise

79. Indicators
Who has changed their behaviour to comply with and placate the partner?
Who is unable to make independent decisions without consulting with partner/family member or without fearing repercussions?
Choice within no choice
Who has the power to stop arguments (leave the house/stay with friends without being harassed/physically)?
Injuries
Fear
Remember: some survivors may present with none of these indicators, so do not dismiss them as not being genuine.
Talk about the case in Manchester where the judge felt the survivor was not vulnerable enough because she was educated and employed.
Or survivors who have a fight response due to trauma
Give out Respect grid

80. Summing up - Key good practice
Practice asking about gender and sexuality
Ask about gender/ sexuality and domestic abuse in safe and appropriate ways (routine assessment questions/ diversity monitoring).
Embed knowledge into practice
Make it clear to LGBT+ survivors you are LGBT+ friendly
Have posters and resources available and accessible

81. Resources www.equation.org.uk http://www.galop.org.uk/lgbt-dv-library/

82. Evaluations