Domestic abuse can affect anybody, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Research conducted by Stonewall (2012) indicates that 1 in 4 lesbian and bisexual women have experienced domestic abuse. A third experienced the abuse from a man and 2 thirds reported that the perpetrator was female. Nearly 50% of gay men have reported experiencing domestic abuse from a partner or family member at least once since the age of 16.
Domestic abuse patterns amongst transgender, non- binary and intersex identifiers are less well researched. However, it is understood to be a significant problem across all spectrums of the LGBTQ+ community. (Stonewall 2012).
You do not have to go through this alone. If you are experiencing domestic abuse you can call our confidential Referral and Advice line on 020 8317 8273 or see below for details of other support services.
The Metro Centre has a long tradition of providing support services to the LGBT community, and beyond.
Website: https://www.metrocentreonline.org/mental-health/
Phone: 020 8305 5000
Email: info@metrocentreonline.org
Galop operate a confidential national helpline for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
Website: http://www.galop.org.uk/
Helpline: 0800 999 5428
Their services are developed to improve the health and mental well-being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered people (LGB&T) and we work to be there when people need us most.
Website: http://londonfriend.org.uk/get-support/#.XGFYXP5Ce70
Counselling: 020 7833 1674
Providing support, advice and accommodation to LGBT communities for 35 years. Their mission is to create safer spaces and end homelessness for LGBT+ people
Website: https://stonewallhousing.org/
For Housing Advice call: 020 7359 5767
If you are using a shared computer, or simply do not want other people to see that you have visited the Housing for Women website, you may want to hide your internet viewing history.
When InPrivate Browsing is turned on, you will see this indicator in the address bar
InPrivate Browsing helps prevent Internet Explorer from storing data about your browsing session. This includes cookies, temporary Internet files, history, and other data. Toolbars and extensions are disabled by default
Browsers store some info—like your search history—to help improve your experience on the web. When you use InPrivate Browsing, info like passwords, search history, and page history is deleted once you close the tab.
To open an InPrivate Browsing session, right–select the Internet Explorer icon on the taskbar, and select Start InPrivate Browsing. Or if you have already opened Internet Explorer select the Settings icon to the extreme right side of the address bar. Doing so will present a list of options, one of which reads Safety. Selecting this option presents another set of options, one of which is InPrivate Browsing. Clicking this option will open a new window allowing private browsing, and which can be closed with a single click.
As you browse the web, Firefox remembers lots of information for you - like the sites you've visited. There may be times, however, when you don't want people with access to your computer to see this information. Private Browsing allows you to browse the Internet without saving any information about which sites and pages you’ve visited.
There are two ways to open a new Private Window.
When you use Private Browsing windows, Safari doesn’t save your browsing history, and it asks websites you visit not to track you.
To use Private Browsing: Choose File > New Private Window, or switch to a Safari window that’s already using Private Browsing. A window that’s using Private Browsing has a dark Smart Search field with white text.
If you don’t want Google Chrome to save a record of what you visit and download, you can browse the web privately in Incognito mode.
The method for starting Incognito may very depening on the PC you are using. The default method in Chrome is to click on the 3 dots to the extreme right side of the address bar. Doing so will present a list of options, one of which is New Incognito Window. Clicking this option will open a new window allowing private browsing, and which can be closed with a single click.
How Incognito mode works
Incognito mode opens a new window where you can browse the Internet in private without Chrome saving the sites you visit. You can switch between an Incognito window and any regular Chrome browsing windows you have open. You'll only be in Incognito mode when you're using the Incognito window.
Others can see some information
Incognito mode only prevents Chrome from saving your site visit activity. It won't stop other sources from seeing what sites you’ve visited, including:
Downloads are saved to your computer
Chrome won’t save a record of the files you download in Incognito mode. However, the downloaded files will be saved to your computer’s Downloads folder, even after you close your Incognito tabs. You and anyone who uses your computer can see and open the files.