In May, our CEO Sue Coleman attended a research showcase at the University of Worcester, where WMWA placement student Chloe Wooding presented her Master’s research exploring LGBTQ+ survivors’ experiences of accessing domestic abuse support services.
Chloe is currently completing a Master’s degree in Applied Criminology at the University of Worcester and is undertaking her placement with West Mercia Women’s Aid. Her research focuses on understanding how domestic abuse services can better support LGBTQ+ survivors and ensure that services are inclusive, accessible and responsive to their needs.
The research addresses an important issue. While domestic abuse can affect anyone, evidence suggests that LGBTQ+ individuals face unique challenges when experiencing abuse and when seeking support.
Research indicates that between 25% and 40% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, and around one in two trans individuals, will experience some form of domestic abuse during their lifetime. Yet many survivors do not seek support, with studies suggesting that more than half of LGBTQ+ survivors never access specialist services.
One of the reasons for this is that domestic abuse is often still perceived through a heterosexual lens. Traditional understandings of abuse may not always reflect the experiences of LGBTQ+ survivors, meaning that abuse can be harder to recognise and barriers to support can be greater.
Chloe’s research aims to explore these experiences from two perspectives: practitioners working within domestic abuse services and LGBTQ+ survivors who have used support services.
The project seeks to understand:
- How LGBTQ+ survivors experience domestic abuse services
- Whether services feel inclusive and accessible
- The barriers that can prevent people from seeking support
- How practitioners understand and respond to the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors
- Opportunities to improve inclusive practice across the sector
The first phase of the research involved interviews with practitioners working in domestic abuse services. Participants brought experience from a range of specialist roles, including Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs), community support services, child-focused support and management.
Early findings highlighted several important themes.
One was the need to better understand the unique forms of abuse that may occur within LGBTQ+ relationships. Participants discussed how coercive and controlling behaviours can sometimes be normalised or minimised, particularly through online spaces and social media.
Another key theme was the importance of person-centred support. Practitioners emphasised that no two survivors are the same, and that services must be flexible and responsive to individual needs and experiences.
The research also identified the impact of shame and stigma. LGBTQ+ survivors may face additional barriers linked to both their identity and their experiences of abuse. Fear of judgement, discrimination or misunderstanding can make it more difficult to seek help and disclose abuse.
The second phase of Chloe’s research will focus on hearing directly from LGBTQ+ survivors who have accessed domestic abuse services. Through interviews, participants will be invited to share their experiences of support, discuss any barriers they encountered and suggest ways services can become more inclusive.
These insights will help build a clearer understanding of what works well and where improvements can be made.
At West Mercia Women’s Aid, we are committed to ensuring that all survivors feel seen, heard and supported. Research such as Chloe’s plays a vital role in helping the sector continue to learn, evolve and improve.
We are incredibly proud to be supporting Chloe through her placement and look forward to reading the final findings of this important piece of research.
By listening to the experiences of survivors and practitioners alike, we can continue working towards services that are inclusive, accessible and effective for everyone who needs them.