**Content warning: Domestic abuse**
This video contains content that viewers may potentially find upsetting, triggering or is not suitable for younger audiences. Viewer discretion is advised. If you do not want to watch, please click off.

This video is part of a series produced in partnership with Deaf Rainbow UK.

M: Thank you for meeting me today. I’d like to have a quick chat so you can explain what “domestic abuse” means. Can you explain what “domestic abuse” means?

V: People can experience domestic abuse in a range of different ways.
It could be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, coercive control, harassment or stalking. If you, or anyone you know, want to know more information about domestic abuse, please contact us (SignHealth). We’re happy to support you and give you detailed information.
Details on how to contact us are at the end of this video.

M: How, or where, can a deaf LGBTQIA+ person, who has experienced domestic abuse, get information and support?

V: We know that LGBTQIA+ people often suffer in silence if they experience domestic abuse.
Even now, people may live in fear of “exposing” their true selves and their sexuality.
Many people put up with the different types of abuse; physical, emotional, mental, in order to save themselves from the judgements that society might make about them.
There is support available. I work in SignHealth’s Domestic Abuse team. You can find more information about this on our website. I have always felt accepted and encouraged to be my true self here. If you think you might be experiencing abuse but aren’t sure, please get in touch with us. We’re here to help.

M: Do you have any statistical information about deaf LGBTQIA+ people experiencing domestic abuse?

V: They’re not alone in this. There is lots of shame linked to domestic abuse survivors, from families, friends and society, so it’s not surprising that survivors of domestic abuse from the LGBTQIA+ community feel more shame, embarrassment and not worthy of support because of their sexuality. SignHealth policy ensures the upmost confidentiality with our priority being the survivors. Many professionals tend to forget the victim, at SignHealth we have direct communication with our clients and their safety is paramount to us. SignHealth recruits colleagues based on their skills, not their sexuality, as their staff are so diverse, we have representation for a wide range of communities. We have LGBTQIA+ staff on our team, as well as different races and ethnicities, we have male IDVA and DAN.
There is support available so please don’t suffer alone.
For emergency support, please contact 999 BSL: [ Ссылка ] which will connect you to the police through a BSL interpreter (or any other emergency services).

M: If you need more information or support, please email, or send a BSL video to
RAD: advice.royaldeaf.org.uk
Deaf Rainbow UK: hello@deafrainbowuk.org.uk
SignHealth: da@signhealth.org.uk

For more information, please email or send a BSL video to:
da@signhealth.org.uk
hello@deafrainbowuk.org.uk
advice@royaldeaf.org.uk

The series will feature on:
RAD BSL Information Hub: [ Ссылка ]
[ Ссылка ]
SignHealth website: [ Ссылка ]
Deaf Rainbow UK website: [ Ссылка ]

BSL (British Sign Language)

Royal Association for Deaf people: [ Ссылка ]

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