UK’s first dedicated rape and sexual abuse helpline for LGBTQ+ people launched
metro.co.ukhelp@galop.org.uk When he reported the crime, he was allegedly told that ‘this is just what gay men do and that is what the community is like’.The charity is not trying to replace any other services currently available, just give survivors the option to speak to someone who is a member of the community and has had ‘in-depth’ training, and offers one-to-one support.But Leni acknowledged that confidence in police and the criminal justice system in general has fallen.It is also often the case Gallop would be the first port of call for survivors about a a non-consensual sexual experience.This is why Leni stressed the importance of launching the UK helpline, which is now open from Monday to Friday.Nicola Bulley's partner leaves heart breaking message on bridge where she went missingPentagon refuses to rule out objects shot down could be 'aliens'Mars fined after two workers fell into vat of chocolate and had to be cut outLeni added: ‘You never really know what the reaction of the person on the other end of the phone is going to be as an LGBTQ+ person, so creating a service like this cuts out that worry.‘We definitely see examples of people being faced with homophobia, biphobia or transphobia when trying to report an incident.‘There is also a decent proportion who choose to go through the criminal justice system without revealing that they are LGBTQ+ to avoid those kind of attitudes.‘The fundamental difference with our helpline is that everyone who works here is LGBTQ+ – every single person who answers an email or picks up the phone ‘They also have very in-depth training on rape and sexual abuse.
We also have the ability to support people one-to-one for longer.’Galop also runs three other national lines – for LGBTQ+ survivors.
