Helpline Workers (Voluntary)

1 in 4 lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people will experience domestic violence. Broken Rainbow LGBT Domestic Violence Service (UK) provides a helpline service to all LGBT people, their family and friends around the issue of domestic violence.

We provide signposting, referals, information and active listening – or we listen with a non-judgmental ear.

During hard economic times, we receive increased numbers of calls from people in need and so we need more helpline volunteers to provide this much needed service to our communities.

We are looking for volunteers who can give some time to support callers. You will be a good communicator who is calm and non judgemental. This post requires the applicants to positively identify as an LGBT person.

Currently we are looking to increase cover on:

Mondays & Thursdays 2pm to 5pm
Mondays & Thursdays 5pm to 8pm
Wednesdays 10am to 1pm.

Please E-mail CV (max 2 A4 pages), with an outline of your suitability and stating why you wish to volunteer and join us.

mail@broken-rainbow.org.uk

If you can’t volunteer but have a mailing list , then we’d be grateful if you could pass this volunteering opportunity on for us. We have a specially prepared PDF or you can copy and paste the above text.

http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/br%20recruit%20helpline2.pdf

Date: 2nd June 2009.
Time: 10am – 4pm
Price: £89 per person
Address: Broken Rainbow,J414, Tower Bridge Business Complex, 100 Clements Rd, London, SE16 4DG (free parking)
Details:

LGBT & DV issues: Survivor and Perpetrator Awareness
We examine how the power and control theories manifest differently in LGBT communities, look at case studies, cultural contexts, and misconceptions. The program also explores the concerns for professionals when working with LGBT survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence.

Aim:
The aim of this course is to provide participants with a firm grounding in domestic violence issues within the context of LGBT relationships. On completion of the course candidates will be able to identify patterns of abusive behaviour, distinguish patterns and support for survivor and perpetrator, have an increased awareness of the impact of stereotypes, and improve practice with Broken Rainbow endorsed risk assessment and safety planning.

Objectives:
A range of learning methods will be used in a workshop setting to increase awareness of LGBT DV issues.

Training Outcomes

On completion participants will be able to:

• Define same sex domestic violence
• Recognise abusive behaviour
• Recognise abusive patterns within a LGBT cultural context
• Identify risk factors
• Demonstrate an understanding of the cycle of violence
• Carry out individual risk assessment
• Support survivors
• Address perpetrator/s issues appropriately

Booking forms and more info: http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/offer.html

Date: April 2009
For Immediate Release

Broken Rainbow National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline Additional phone number:

0300 999 5428 (0300 999 LGBT)

Formed in 2004, Broken Rainbow runs the only UK lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans Domestic Violence helpline staffed by LGBT people for LGBT people. During periods of economic hardship, calls to all domestic violence helplines increase – this year especially.

Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and trans people experiencing domestic violence who call the 0300 number are charged at the same rate as calling standard landline numbers (01 and 02) even from a mobile phone.

The new number is currently running alongside the 08452 60 44 60 helpline number.

Rita Hirani, consultant CEO at Broken Rainbow, said, “Approximately 25% of calls received by Broken Rainbow Helpline are from mobile phones. For many LGBT people this is the safest method. We’re appalled that telephone services have sought to suddenly increase charges to ‘08xx’ numbers from national call rate to over 40pence a minute. Such a cost could actually prevent those living with violence from ringing us for help. An average call to our Helpline would cost a person in danger £16 which is unacceptable.”

Broken Rainbow are therefore currently running both numbers and the 0300 number has been added to reduce the cost for those calling from mobile phones.

–Ends–
Editor’s notes
‘Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone.’

For more information about the 03 Telephone numbers please contact:
Ofcom switchboard 0300 123 3000
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/features/03feb

1 in 4 LGBT people experience domestic violence
Helpline: 08452 60 44 60, Mon 2-8pm, Wed 10-2pm, Thur 2-8pm.
Broken Rainbow LGBT Domestic Violence Service (UK) is a registered charity (no. 1103624)
Broken Rainbow is funded by the Home Office with some positions funded by the Nationwide Foundation.

The Rainbow Ribbon Campaign is to raise awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people’s experience of domestic violence. Rainbow and white enamel ribbons will be available for donations of £1 in various outlets UK wide. Wear the Ribbon. Break the Silence.

For more information about Broken Rainbow please contact: mail@broken-rainbow.org.uk
http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk

Findings showed that homosexual males did indeed suffer from lower self esteem than the general population which suggests self esteem increasing methods that are used to help heterosexual females that are victims of domestic violence, can also be used with homosexual males.

We had the survey on our site, facebook and sent around by our trustees.  I think studies like this are great.

Why? Because service providers, authorities, government, still have real problems understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans domestic violence.

Often the police will fail to view incidents as DV (as seen in a recent thematic by northern ireland police – check our site for full details of it; great document to read) and record them as common assault.

Why is this a problem?

Because support and protection is not properly put in place to help the LGBT person experiencing the domestic violence. This then leads to high reoccurance rates of DV in the LGBT community (DV reoccurence rates are already very high, in the heterosexual communities).  It can also lead to the LGBT community losing faith in the police, and so not reporting the next incident, which can lead to a next incident and, as we know with DV, things spiral downward.

We have a survey running on our site at the moment. It’s looking into LGBT people reporting the DV incident to the police – ie, would they?

Here are the results so far.

Yes – 14%

No – 32%

I’d tell family or friends – 54%

Obviously the poll will run for a while, picking up answers so we get a picture of reporting patterns. Feel free to forward our link around.

As our main task is to raise awareness of LGBT DV (in its many forms) then it seemed like a natural evolution. Please do feel free to forward links you may find to news stories, videos, pictures, posters, articles, etc.

http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/polls.html

It’s just looking for a snapshot of – would you report the instance of domestic violence to the police?

Friday 27th March 2009 - Oxford Belfry Hotel, Thame

Conference Fees
Statutory / private sector £50
Voluntary sector £35

You will be able to attend 4 workshops (two in the morning and two in the afternoon).

Workshop 1: Reporting LGBT crimes
Workshop 2: Developing services
Workshop 3: BME & Forced Marriage
Workshop 4: Sexual Violence & Risk Behaviour
Workshop 5: Domestic & Sexual Violence issues for younger and older LGBT community

Bookings by 18th March 2009 to:

Gwen Devine, 3rd Floor, Blue Boar Street, Oxford, OX1 4EY
E-mail: gdevine@oxford.gov.uk
Tel: 01865 252304

Q: I don’t get hit. How can it be domestic violence?

A: Domestic violence is not always physical, and that means that the signs may not be obvious. DV can involve controlling a person’s contact with their friends and family (isolating them), destroying property, verbal threats in private or public, etc.

Q: Does Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender domestic violence exist?

A: Our national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender domestic violence helpline took 800 calls between January and April 2008. We spoke to callers for over 35hrs on LGBT DV, signposting, listening, talking through issues.

Surveys show that at least 1 in 4 LGBT people experience domestic violence. LGBT domestic violence exists. It is real.

Q: When two women fight isn’t it just a lover’s tiff?

A: There is nothing blasé about violence in a relationship and referring to it this way minimises the impact it has and is one reason why LGBT domestic violence remains a hidden issue.

Q: When two men fight isn’t it just sex games like S&M?

A: S&M is a consensual sexual practice. Domestic violence is abusive and one sided and features no such consent. Sexual role play is not the same as domestic violence.

Q: Isn’t lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender domestic violence is the same as heterosexual domestic violence?

A: In some ways it is, but there are very important differences. One main point is the lack of support services available to LGBT DV sufferers. Also, another is the issue of having to out yourself to report the domestic violence.

Q: How can it be domestic violence if the smaller person hits the bigger one?

A: Size and stature is not reflected in ones abusive behaviour. Just because someone is smaller, does not mean they can not hit you, destroy your possessions, threaten to out you to your friends and family, control your finances or belittle you in front of other.

Q: What benefits are there to me calling you for help and not a mainstream helpline?

A: LGBT people inherently know the issues and problems another LGBT person will face. Our LGBT sessional workers will not judge you for your sexuality; they deal with those experiencing domestic violence and those perpetrating it.

To support White Ribbon’s campaign to end violence against women through a continual process of education and awareness raising and to contribute towards our work to provide support for those experiencing domestic violence in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender relationships, we are looking for artists to submit work using the theme of domestic violence.

This could be anything from using graphic design to produce promotional images or posters, to pieces in any media interpreting emotions or issues surrounding this subject.

Work will be displayed at b@rplace, Crown Street, Hebden Bridge for the duration of the festival, with a fundraising auction on Tuesday 7th July – a percentage of monies raised will go to the artist.

White Ribbon will also be hosting a number of talks on the importance of raising the subject of domestic violence and the work of both charities; literature and merchandise will be available throughout.

Anyone wishing to take part in this event should contact the White Ribbon office on 01422 844675 or email us at info@whiteribboncampaign.co.uk

Further information can also be found at www.broken-rainbow.org.uk or www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk.

The Ball had a 1940’s theme, and 300 guests danced the night away in the Old Ship Hotel’s Paganini Ballroom to 40’s and 50’s big bands including Fats 45 and the Burlettes. Dance lessons were provided and many of the guests had their first taste of the quickstep and the jive. Many guests came in period costume, including land girl outfits, military uniforms and elaborate ballgowns. The evening was brilliantly compered by Nicky Mitchell. As part of the night, the forum held its annual LGBT History Awards, which this year went to Allsorts Youth Project for its work with young LGBT people, to Val Brown of Lesbian Link for her years of activism, and to Jo Barringer of Brighton & Hove City Council for her work supporting LGBT officers.

Rita Harani of Broken Rainbow said: “Our thanks go to the BHCC LGBT Workers Forum. This was a wonderful and inspiring celebration of achievement, of LGBT community and rightfully acknowledging the work of local individuals and LGBT organisations. Brighton & Hove have set the standard for the work that still needs to happen, and have recognised that it is only by working together we can challenge discrimination faced by LGBT people every day of their lives.”