Police force lends support to LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Awareness Day

The day aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse in LGBT+ communities and encourage victims to come forward. And it delivers a very clear message – ‘There’s No Pride In Domestic Abuse’.

It has been launched in the UK by the Co-Chair of the National LGBT+ Police Network PC Amy Tapping and runs alongside similar days taking place across the world.

This follows the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation in Australia setting-up an inaugural awareness day last year, and after speaking to colleagues on the other side of the world, PC Tapping was determined to bring an event closer to home.

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She hopes the day will ultimately encourage more victims of abuse to come forward and seek support.

PC Tapping said: "Domestic abuse is significantly under-reported in the LGBT+ community and it is our aim to not only promote the awareness day and encourage more victims to come forward, but we want to go beyond that and continue to build better relations within these communities.

"Many victims are suffering in silence and we want to ensure they know we can provide support and help give them a voice.

“A lot of work is under way nationally to better understand the needs of the LGBT+ community and listen to how we can further support victims of domestic abuse.

“We all have a part to play in protecting vulnerable victims and I would encourage everyone to show their support for this awareness day.

“It is important we all continue to make this commitment year-round and do what we can to support each other – together we can make a real difference.”

Inspector Kelly Reed, Thames Valley Police's LGBT+ Network Welfare rep and strategic lead, said: “Domestic abuse can effect anyone at any time within their relationships.

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"We have found that within LGBTQ+ communities there is sometimes a fear of judgement regarding an individual’s sexual orientation and or gender identity and so the abuse continues unreported, we want to reassure our LGBTQ+ communities that this is not the case.

"We in Thames Valley Police acknowledge these sensitivities around reporting domestic abuse and take them seriously. We care and want LGBTQ+ individuals to feel they can report all types of domestic abuse and so we have specially trained staff and officers known as Domestic abuse matters champions and Lesbian and Gay Liaison officers (LAGLOS).

"No one should suffer domestic abuse, if you experience domestic abuse it or know of others who are then please report by calling 101 or in an emergency 999, there is also online reporting of a crime available at Report | Thames Valley Police.”