LGBT+ Domestic Abuse in London

Nick Rogers AM proposed, and Zack Polanski AM seconded, the following motion:

“This Assembly recognises that LGBT+ domestic abuse is a growing issue in London. In the financial year 2016/2017 there were 607 offences reported. By 2020/21 this had risen to 793, an increase of 31%.

This Assembly welcomes that the Mayor is undertaking work to address this issue, including the provision of victim and witness services, working closely with leading LGBT+ organisations, and the creation of the MPS Public Protection Improvement Plan, but believes more can be done.

Therefore this Assembly calls for:

• MOPAC to recommence funding to provide emergency accommodation for LGBT victims of domestic abuse on a permanent basis and make sure associated specialist support services are adequately funded;
• The Mayor to advertise LGBT+ domestic abuse awareness and information on victim support on the TfL network;
• The Mayor to update the LGBT+ Venues Charter to include the displaying of public health and safety information for the LGBT community, including information on domestic abuse;
• An extension of the Metropolitan Police’s hate crime data sharing agreement with Galop to cover domestic abuse to assess the hidden demand, specifically the number of calls to their helpline;
• MOPAC to explore launching a specialist programme to address the behaviour of LGBT+ perpetrators;
• For the Mayor to write to the Government to request they update the section on vulnerability within the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales, to specifically consider sexual orientation; and
• To work with third sector providers who are under pressure to provide services where demand exceeds capacity.”

Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the motion in the name of Nick Rogers AM was agreed unanimously.