Stonewall’s research (LGBT in Britain: Home and Communities, 2018) found that more than one in ten LGBT people (11%) had faced domestic abuse from a partner in the previous year, including one in five trans people and non-binary people (19% respectively).iStonewall Scotland, Written Evidence
LGBT Youth Scotland also pointed to research that shows that LGBT young people pre-lockdown experience domestic abuse at the same level as women and already have indicators of poor mental health.iiLGBT Youth Scotland, Written Evidence
LGBT Youth Scotland called for clear messaging from public authorities that domestic abuse support services are open to LGBTI people, including those experiencing familial abuse and that messages should not rely on digital methods as many young LGBTI people do not have private access to devices.iiLGBT Youth Scotland, Written Evidence
Stonewall’s survey respondents reported having experienced particular difficulties related to their LGBT identity during the pandemic, some had been living with people who were not supportive of their identity, or to whom they were not ‘out’ and were forced back ‘into the closet’ in order to protect their safety—
[I’m] living with someone who I feel could be dangerous and I’ve found myself hiding who I am, which I haven’t done since I was 15.” (25-34, Central Scotland) Not having any supportive spaces (online or otherwise) and relocating to a small town with my family (to most of whom I am not out) has not been easy on my self-esteem and mental health” (18-24, Lothian).iStonewall Scotland, Written Evidence