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Greater Manchester Police records abuse in LGBT community

Greater Manchester Police hope the new approach will help target their response Credit: GTV

Greater Manchester Police has become the first in the country to record domestic abuse in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Its part of a new method of recording crime being rolled out across the force area.

Officers say it will help them target their response.

Officers have logged over 150 incidents since a pilot scheme began in June.

Police officers and partners have had extra training to improve their understanding of the different needs of people in domestic abuse situations. The partnership has also seen a new Independent Domestic Violence Advisor run by Independence Choices in partnership with the LGBT Foundation.

This is a huge step forward in tackling domestic abuse specifically within the LGBT community here in Greater Manchester, and shows our commitment to supporting all victims of domestic abuse in the best way possible, for them.

Over the six month pilot in just one area of Greater Manchester we logged over 150 incidents of LGBT domestic abuse. This code will help us to identify and monitor LGBT domestic abuse incidents, which in turn will help us shape any processes needed to tackle it.

Across the multiagency partnership we have identified the lack of monitoring in this respect and the partnership has funded a specialist LGBT IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Adviser) at Independent Choices. We are also continuing our work on a national level with the national LGBT domestic abuse helpline at Galop to better understand the issues surrounding domestic abuse in the LGBT community and encourage victims and friends and family of victims to report the issue and have the confidence to come forward.

– Detective Chief Inspector Myra Ball GMP

Congratulations to GMP in leading the way on highlighting and identifying domestic abuse incidents in the LGBT communities. This will go a long way in breaking down barriers that prevent people coming forward to receiving help.

We are delighted that referrals to our new LGBT IDVA Service have been coming through from GMP. This allows us to support people in the community who may have not reached out for help.

– Joanne Simpson, Manager at Independent Choices