Want to make a difference to the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people experiencing domestic violence? You may know we have helpline volunteer vacancies, but we’re also looking for more trustees.
What is a trustee, you might ask? Do-it.org describes it best so forgive me for nabbing their words:
Charity trustees are the people legally responsible for the overall management and decision-making in a charity. Other than in exceptional circumstances, trustees are volunteers.
What do trustees do?
Trustees are responsible for the direction and performance of their charity.
Who can be a trustee?
No-one under the age of 18 can be appointed as a trustee, and some people are disqualified by law from acting as charity trustees. This includes:
- anyone who has been convicted of an offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the conviction is spent
- anyone who is an undischarged bankrupt
- anyone who has previously been removed from trusteeship of a charity by the court or the Charity Commissioners
- anyone who is under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.
Here are some Broken Rainbow specifics:
- we’re a LGBT organisation so you need to positively identify as LGBT.
- we’re UK based and would love to have trustees from areas such as Wales, Scotland, NI – and also rural regions.
- we’re especially looking for a treasurer.
Sounds interesting? Want more information?
You can look at our site for more info: www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
You can also get the trustee application forms here:
Trustee role description: http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/JobDescriptionTrustees.doc
Trustee application form: http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/ApplicationFormTrustee.doc
We are holding trustee interviews on the 2nd June so grab a form and whizz it back to the office: mail@broken-rainbow.org.uk
Thanks!
Do you deal with domestic violence in your job? Does your company/charity/service provider?
We’d love to hear from you in our super short, super important survey on service provider’s knowledge of LGBT DV.
Five questions. 5 minutes.
85% of you have responded with a no.
Have your say on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans domestic violence: http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/polls.html
Do you have 3 hrs per month spare? Do you want to volunteer for a well known lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans charity?
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
Broken Rainbow LGBT Domestic Violence Training
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
PRESS RELEASE
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
A study surrounding gay men who have experienced domestic violence, conducted at the University of Northumbria showed:
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 you can see this blog has gone from a flat expanse of (all be it wonderful) news, to a more interactive, visually satisfying, array of news and various videos on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans domestic violence.
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.
A poll on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans domestic violence and reporting:
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?
We are doing a couple of workshops. We picked this event to do because it’s in a great location and it’s very affordable for people to attend. Go to our site for more details if needed, but it’s one not to miss: www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
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
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