Guidance for multi-agency forums: LGBT+ people

This briefing provides guidance to multi-agency forums to raise awareness of and to ensure the appropriate safeguarding of LGBT+ victims against domestic abuse. It relates to victims/survivors of domestic abuse identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Trans (LGBT) plus. We use the term plus to denote the spectrum of sexual and gender identities that people have. These may include, but are not limited to polysexual, pansexual, queer, asexual, nonbinary, intersex, and genderqueer.

LGBT+ victims have historically been part of a ‘hidden’ group, meaning that they are less well served by the Domestic Abuse services & Marac. Groups that are not reached by services become invisible and their needs less well understood. It is vital therefore, to focus on how LGBT+ people’s experiences might be similar or different, and to identify any unique risks and needs and the additional barriers to support that they may face.

The National Scrutiny Panel brought together a range of people with expertise in the LGBT+ sector and with experience of multi-agency responses to domestic abuse. Together they looked at four cases of domestic abuse involving LGBT+ victims at high risk and/or perpetrators of domestic abuse. Their remit was to examine the information shared and the actions taken by the multi-agency groups that had originally heard these cases. The panel were able to draw out good practice and areas for development, and the lessons learned have helped to formulate the recommendations in this report.

Those who are LGBT+ are not homogenous groups. It is essential that the points raised in this report are taken as indicative not as comprehensive and that practitioners always seek to understand the unique experiences and identities of the people they support.

What this briefing contains

• Aim of this report
• Language
• Common themes arising
  • Low levels of identification
  • Dual allegations
  • Isolation
  • Cultural competency
  • Young people
  • Risk and specific forms of abuse
  • Complex needs
  • Sexual violence
  • Gender identity
  • Perpetrators
• Guidance for Maracs
  • If you are part of a Marac’s strategic or governance group
  • If you are a commissioner
  • If you are domestic abuse coordinator or forum

This report also provides various external links and resources about supporting and safeguarding LGBT+ victims.