The UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity continues to provide support for victims of violence
BY KRYSTA MCKENZIE, IMAGE BY UNSPLASH
Today, 2 February, Galop announced the launch of their Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline. This comes after new research undertaken by them has revealed that an overwhelming 53% of LGBT+ people have experienced sexual violence.
The charity shared information about the launch of their helpline this morning, expressing that they will be there to support those who are in need of help.
In their press release, Galop has also shared that LGBTQIA survivors of sexual violence who have reached out to mainstream organisations have had negative experiences – with only 22% of responders being satisfied with the support they received.
In fact, survivors that Galop spoke to made the following statements:
“After the judgmental response I never went back and I haven’t accessed any support since then”
“There were a few times I felt like I was speaking a foreign language and had to explain some really basic stuff”
The lack of understanding for the experiences of queer people from mainstream sexual abuse helplines can be detrimental to the survival of victims.
Although it is known that LGBTQIA people often face sexual violence linked to their queer identites, there has been very little done to ensure that our community can gain access to support from people who understand this unique experience.
Leni Morris, CEO of LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop, stated: “The launch of the Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline is a historic step forward in providing specialist support for our community. We want LGBT+ victims and survivors to know that we’re here, we understand what you’re going through and help is available. Any LGBT+ survivor calling us can be confident that their call will be answered by a fellow LGBT+ person, who is trained and experienced in working with survivors of abuse and violence. Our community has gone too long without this kind of nationally available support – that changes today.”
Galop’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline is open Monday – Thursday from 10am – 8:30pm and Friday from 10am – 4:30pm. Contact the Helpline by phone on 0800 999 5428 or via email help@galop.org.uk.
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