For most people, romantic relationships are the most meaningful element in their lives. This is no different for the LGBT Plus community.

There are many aspects involved in being in a relationship and many things that can go wrong. Below you will find links to pages that offer advice and support around some of the big issues in LGBT Plus relationships.

Domestic abuse can include physical abuse, emotional and mental abuse and sexual abuse. It can involve a range of behaviours. Domestic abuse can be perpetrated by a partner or an ex-partner and can include:

• Physical abuse (hitting, kicking, slapping, punching or any form of physical violence or threatened violence)
• Sexual abuse (sexual acts which are carried out against a person’s will, forced to have sex/rape or to take part in any sexual act you don’t want to)
• Mental and emotional abuse (such as threatening to ‘out’ you to family or friends, verbal abuse, homophobic/biphobic/transphobic abuse, keeping you short of money or isolating you from friends)
• Children can also be affected by domestic abuse. Children can often witness or be subjected, or used in abuse. They can experience stress and fear and may suffer a range of adverse effects, including being hurt themselves, poor health and an array of psychological difficulties.

Domestic abuse involves a range of behaviours and you don’t need to experience all these forms of abuse to be experiencing domestic abuse – even if you feel you only experience one of these on a regular basis, this can still be domestic abuse.

If you are visiting this website it might be because you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and are or think you may be experiencing domestic abuse. You may be a friend, relative or colleague of an LGBT Plus person and you are concerned about their relationship with their partner.

If you think you are experiencing domestic abuse, then you have made your first big step to getting help. The links from this page will give you lots of information from identifying domestic abuse to what to do in a crisis.

You are not alone. Domestic abuse affects 1 in 4 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. You do not deserve to be abused and you can get help.

Domestic Abuse Support Services

Broken Rainbow a national helpline providing confidential support.

Domestic Abuse Project LGBT Youth Scotland

Non-LGBT-Plus Specific Organisations
Women’s Aid – working to end domestic violence against women & children.
Scotland: 0800 027 1234
England: 0808 2000 247
Wales: 0808 80 10 800
helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Welsh Women’s Aid – This does not offer a helpline but provides referrals to local support groups - 029 2039 0874

Advice and support Links

Marriage & Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014

Relationships Scotland

Healthy Respect – Relationship advice for young people

Losing a Partner – Grieving loss in the LGBT Community

Suicide Bereavement Guide