20 years of UK LGBT+ History Month: Reflecting on the past, present and future of responses to domestic abuse across LGBT+ communities

LGBT+ History Month is an important opportunity to reflect on the history and milestones of the LGBT+ movement, whilst also recognising the ongoing challenges affecting LGBT+ communities. It’s also a chance to celebrate and find comfort in the power of social justice movements to impact change. This month marks 20 years since the beginning of LGBT+ History Month in the UK, with a meaningful theme of ‘Activism and Social Change’. LGBT+ history and social change are fundamentally connected – in fact, the month of February was chosen to mark the abolition of Section 28 in February 2003, a policy which prohibited the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality. Today, we’re delighted to speak to Alex, Systems Change and Practice Development Lead at the Drive Partnership, about the past, present and future of the LGBT+ movement, including the vital work that they are doing in this area alongside partners to improve responses to domestic abuse across LGBT+ communities as part of the Drive Partnership’s National Systems Change work.

Looking back on activism and social change in response to domestic abuse across LGBT+ communities, are there any changes you’d like to reflect on?

One of the most significant changes has been the increasing recognition that domestic abuse is not confined to a single, heteronormative narrative. Over the last two decades, we’ve seen a growing commitment to ensuring that LGBT+ victim-survivors receive support that truly responds to their needs and experiences, and those causing harm are responded to safely and effectively. Rise Mutual’s establishment of the first dedicated LGBT+ perpetrator programme was a landmark moment, and the fact that by the end of 2025 there will be six services in this space demonstrates real progress. 

Additionally, the sector’s move towards intersectional, survivor-centred approaches – guided and driven by the expertise of by-and-for organisations and determined individuals – has been pivotal. The strides made in data collection and workforce development have also laid the foundation for a future where support is inclusive, evidence-based, and adaptive to the needs of all LGBT+ people affected by domestic abuse.

Across this time, which key milestones particularly stand out for you?

Broken Rainbow UK was the first dedicated LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline in the UK, and, in 2008, secured funding to expand services, raising awareness of domestic abuse within LGBT+ communities as a distinct issue. Later, in 2014, the publication of What’s Love Got to Do with It? by Professor Catherine Donovan and Dr Marianne Hester – a pioneering study on domestic abuse within LGBT+ communities – challenged heteronormative models of power and control, shaping future research and policy. In 2016, the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline was added to Galop’s services, and is now integrated into The Galop Helpline. 

2018 saw the first UK government report specifically addressing domestic abuse within LGBT+ communities, which drew on a 2018 Stonewall YouGov survey to state that more than 25% of trans respondents who were in a relationship in the last year had been subject to domestic abuse. Data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) published alongside the report revealed for the first time that gay, lesbian and bisexual people are more likely than heterosexual people to be victims of all CSEW crime. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 was also a landmark moment, expanding the definition of domestic abuse to include coercive and controlling behaviour post-separation – an important step in itself, and also for LGBT+ communities which, as identified in Queering Narratives of Domestic Violence and Abuse: Victims and/or Perpetrators? by Catherine Donovan and Rebecca Barnes, have been more likely to experience and use non-violent forms of abuse. 2021 also saw the launch of the first LGBT+ perpetrator intervention service by Rise Mutual, representing a major shift in awareness that effective responses to domestic abuse must also include targeted interventions for the people causing harm to stop the cycle of domestic abuse. In 2022, the Home Office funded LGBT+ domestic abuse research, a significant move towards improving national data and policy responses to LGBT+ domestic abuse.

Within our own work, in 2023 the Drive Partnership began a collaboration with partners across the sector to co-design specialist responses to domestic abuse to meet the needs of LGBT+ communities. 2025 will see the launch of the Level Programme – a tailored LGBT+ intervention designed with by-and-for organisations and expert partners. At the end of last year, we were deeply saddened by the passing of colleague and close collaborator Maari Nastari, CEO of Star Support, who was central to the Drive Partnership’s work in this area. We will always remember her passion and ensure her work continues to live on both across and beyond our National Systems Change work.

What are you hoping to see in the next 20 years in response to domestic abuse across LGBT+ communities?

I’d like to see greater curiosity within the sector; moving beyond broad discussions of bias towards actively exploring why individuals use harmful behaviour and developing interventions tailored to their specific behaviours and experiences. A key challenge remains the confidence gap among frontline workers, who often default to heteronormative narratives around domestic abuse. While this reflects the experiences of many, it inadvertently disadvantages those who don’t fit this model. The shift I want to see is towards individualised responses, rooted in a deeper understanding of each person’s journey and the factors contributing to their harmful behaviour – rather than assumptions based on identity. While some service users may only feel comfortable engaging with LGBT+ specific support, and we need to ensure this support is available, it is also essential that mainstream services have the skills, knowledge and training to take an intersectional approach to domestic abuse responses through inclusive materials, thoughtful engagement, and a willingness to challenge preconceived notions about domestic abuse. 

Could you tell us a little about the Drive Partnership’s National Systems Change work being developed in this area?

For the past three years, the National Systems Change team at the Drive Partnership has been working to close systemic gaps in LGBT+ domestic abuse responses. This has included:

• Expanding datasets to build a clearer picture of LGBT+ experiences of domestic abuse
• Workforce development shaped by sector needs
• Stakeholder collaboration to share learning and embed best practice

In 2024, we took a significant step forward with partners to begin the co-design process for specialist responses to perpetrators of domestic abuse across LGBT+ communities, alongside two parallel co-design processes to develop specialist responses for Black African, Caribbean and Mixed Heritage communities, and South Asian communities. The intervention for LGBT+ communities, due to launch in May 2025, has been designed from the ground up to meet the needs of LGBT+ people from day one. We are incredibly excited to see how this initiative unfolds and look forward to announcing our delivery partners in due course.

We know that there’s more work to be done, and new challenges emerging across society. Do you have any message you’d like to share to mark this month?

While there is still so much work to be done, it’s important to recognise the progress we’ve made – even in just the last two years. As someone leading this work at a national level, I’ve consistently seen professionals and organisations who genuinely want to get it right for LGBT+ people. Mistakes happen, of course, but they’re part of growth. The LGBT+ perpetrator response sector is evolving rapidly. When we started this work in 2021, only one service existed. By the end of 2025, there will be six. This reflects a broader cultural shift, where frontline practitioners – many with limited prior experience working with LGBT+ communities – are actively seeking training and knowledge so they are ready when LGBT+ service users come through their doors. 

At times, it can feel overwhelming, especially when we see the challenges faced by LGBT+ people across society, both in the UK and internationally. But the key message is this: 

There is progress. There is dedication. And there is momentum. 

From frontline workers to senior leadership, there is a collective commitment to improving responses for LGBT+ survivors and those causing harm. The journey continues, but we are moving forward – together.