Police & Crime Commissioner

Greater Manchester first to officially record LGBT domestic abuse

THIS IS AN ARCHIVED NEWS RELEASE FROM GMPCC.ORG.UK

Greater Manchester has today become the first area of the UK to record domestic abuse in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT) as police take a recording method Forcewide.

Following work between Greater Manchester Police, support service Independent Choices, LGBT Foundation and specialist trainers, code D66 has been used in GMP’s City of Manchester division since June to record reports of domestic abuse in the LGBT community.

Over 100 incidents have been logged in the pilot area since then and from today, Monday 10th April, officers in all areas of Greater Manchester will use the code.

Since June, police and partners have had extra training to increase their understanding of the different needs of people who find themselves in domestic abuse situations. The partnership has also seen a new Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (or IDVA), run by Independence Choices in partnership with the LGBT Foundation.

No other police force in the UK has recorded this information before and it’s hoped that its introduction will add to Greater Manchester’s current work to capture trends and patterns and ultimately tackle the issue and support victims in the most effective way possible.

The code is being welcomed with a community event at Richmond Tearooms with partners coming together to talk to key community members about how the changes will help the community and show solidarity for tackling domestic abuse.

Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said:

“Domestic abuse is still very much a hidden issue in the LGBT community. But this ground-breaking move is already helping to give a clearer picture of this abuse. Combined with the investment in specialist support services and working with the LGBT Foundation, Independent Choices and others to raise awareness of violence, abuse and controlling behaviour we are challenging stigma and encouraging more people to speak out and take that first step to get help and support.”