24 Hour Domestic Violence Help-line

Domestic Violence and Abuse can happen in any relationship including those with someone of the same gender.  If you are in a relationship with another woman and you sometimes feel scared then this is a sign that the relationship may be abusive.  Abuse can be violent or include sexual contact that you don't want or are not happy with.  Abuse can also be emotional and financial.  You do not have to be physically attacked to be in an abusive relationship.  Types of abuse may include:

• Hitting, punching, pinching, slapping - or any other type of physical abuse.
• Being forced or coerced into sexual activity you don't want or are not comfortable with.
• Threats, name-calling, putting you down all the time, criticising what you wear or how you look.
• Using your sexuality against you - threats to out, threats to tell Social Care, threats to tell your family or work you are lesbian/ gay or bisexual.
• Using your disabilities  or impairments against you - not giving you care that you need, witholding medication or giving you too much medication, hiding equipment you might need.
• Making you feel as though you aren't functioning very well.

These are just a few examples.  Any behaviour that you aren't comfortable with or that scares you can be abusive.

 You can access any of the services available for women experiencing domestic abuse in Nottinghamshire (see the rest of this section for women), but you might also like to access the specialist domestic violence services for lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender people that are available nationally.  Broken Rainbow provide a telephone helpline service run by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Broken Rainbow:

0300 999 LGBT (5428) or 08452 60 44 60

Opening times:

• Mon 2pm-8pm
• Wed 10am-1pm
• Thur 2pm-8pm

To access services in Nottinghamshire contact the following:

0808 800 0340 (24 hours - access to refuge, telephone support, safety planning)