Special aspects of LGBTQ+ domestic abuse

Domestic abuse may be experienced by anyone, but there are some specific issues that may feature in the experiences of LGBTQ+ people.

Undermine one’s sense of gender or sexual identity.
Threaten to disclose sexual orientation or gender identity to family, friends, or work colleagues.
Limit or control access to spaces and networks relevant to coming out.
Use society’s heterosexist myths about gay people to manipulate and convince their partner that no one will believe the abuse is real.
Manipulate their partner into believing that abuse is a ‘normal’ part of same-sex relationships.
Threaten to call the police and claim they are the abused person.
Pressure their partner to conceal or minimise abuse to protect the image of the LGBTQ+ community.
If the abused partner is living in the UK on a spousal visa, abuser might threaten to see them deported back to their country of origin, which might be unsafe due to e.g. anti-gay legislation.

Withhold medication or interfere with treatment needed to express a victim’s gender identity (e.g. hormones, surgery) or coerce them into not pursuing such treatment.
Refuse to use correct pronouns and prevent the abused from telling other people about their trans background or identity.
Use pejorative names and ridicule one’s body image (body shaming), voice-quality, dress, etc.
Manipulate their partner into believing that nobody would believe them because they’re transgender.

Believe they ‘deserve’ the abuse because of internalised negative beliefs (homophobia/biphobia/transphobia) and stereotypes.
Experience feelings of intense isolation where family support is lacking or reactions are hostile. 61% of LGBTQ+ young people have experienced some form of abuse in their families/home.
Be made to feel ashamed of their sexuality and identity.
Suppose no help is available due to experienced or assumed homo/bi/ transphobia within support services and the criminal justice system.