Charity say there's 'no Pride in domestic abuse'

A domestic abuse charity in Wiltshire says there’s 'no Pride in domestic abuse' as the county celebrates this weekend in Swindon's GWR Park.

The town's gearing-up for Pride, and Society Without Abuse (SWA) is encouraging the LGBT+ community to speak up and seek support if they, or someone they know, may be experiencing domestic abuse.

It comes as research from Galop suggests domestic abuse may be more prevalent in same-sex relationships, however, they add how many people are either unaware that the behaviours they are experiencing are abusive or are reluctant to seek help.

'Domestic abuse can happen to anyone in any relationship'

Kate Rowland, CEO of SWA, explained: “Domestic abuse can happen to anyone in any relationship no matter how they identify, their age or their background.

“In same-sex relationships the abuse can often be multi-faceted due to community and identity issues and it’s known that victims are less likely to report their experiences or seek help, with 61% of people who acknowledge they have been victims saying that they did not seek professional support to recover.

"As a result, LGBT+ victims are more likely to self-harm or commit suicide.

“However, it’s important to know that there is expert support available to people of all genders and backgrounds in Swindon who are experiencing domestic abuse.

"Swindon is also home to our innovative behaviour change programme that works with people who use harmful behaviour and they can come directly to us to seek support to change.”

The Open2Change programme is a one-to-one programme suitable for all genders as well as for those in mixed-sex and same-sex relationships.

SWA will be present at this weekend’s Swindon Pride, raising awareness of the services and recovery programmes that the charity provides.

To find out more about SWA, visit their website.

If you need advice for yourself or a friend relating to Domestic Abuse, call Swindon’s domestic abuse helpline on 01793 610610.

The station is available on DAB in Bradford, Stoke, Swansea, Liverpool, Humberside, North Yorkshire and Northern Ireland, as well as on DAB+ in London and Norwich. It is also be available online, on smart speakers, just say "Alexa, Play Hits Radio Pride" and through the Hits Radio app nationally.