Healing Starts with Inclusion: Creating Domestic Abuse Services that Support Every Survivor

Domestic abuse is a shadow that looms large in our society, affecting people from all walks of life and touching lives in ways that are often hidden or unspoken. Unrecognised even by those that are affected.

We know 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. But what’s often missing are the voices of those from the most marginalised communities. Imagine having to seek help in a language you aren’t fluent in or having no idea where to go for help because you don’t know how things work. One such community that is overlooked is the trans and non-binary community – and when we look at the statistics for this community, the reality is stark.

In the UK, 1 in 2 trans people will experience intimate partner violence and yet trans and gender-diverse people continue to be overlooked. For trans people, the risk of domestic abuse is nearly double that of cisgender individuals. 50% of trans and non-binary people who make up at least 0.5% of the population of England and Wales (262,000) according to the 2021 Census.

This isn't just a statistic. They are not just numbers. They are real people with real lives torn apart by abuse. Only 8% will ask for help from specialist domestic abuse services and less than 5% are confident to involve the Police. This should be a big wake up all for all professionals working in and around domestic abuse. Can we be confident that our own services and agencies are protecting members of this vulnerable community?

LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall’s research reveals that 25% of trans people have experienced homelessness at some point, and a third of them have avoided certain streets or areas for fear of being harassed or attacked. These intersecting vulnerabilities—being homeless, trans and a survivor of domestic abuse—can cause the most vulnerable people in the trans and non-binary communities to face even more challenges to access the right support.

It's not hard to imagine how someone who has been ostracised by their family or who fears for their safety on a daily basis might find it difficult, if not impossible, to seek help.

The report commission by LGBT+ anti-violence charity GALOP (‘An Isolated Place’, 2023), highlights that many trans people feel they are not welcome in domestic abuse shelters or support groups. In fact, some trans survivors have reported being turned away from services because their gender identity doesn't align with the traditional categories of "male" or "female." This exclusion not only exacerbates their trauma but also reinforces the harmful societal narrative that trans lives are somehow less worthy of protection and support.

The consequences of this exclusion can be devastating. Without access to safe support, trans survivors are left isolated, vulnerable, and at increased risk of further abuse. This isolation can also contribute to mental health struggles; Stonewall reports that 46% of trans people have considered taking their own life in the past year, and this figure rises significantly among those who have experienced domestic abuse. It is illegal to question someone who has a gender recognition certificate about their gender. It is also unlawful to ask for a GRC. With this in mind it is impossible to be 100% certain of the gender assigned at birth of any individual and therefore is skirting illegality to suggest that agencies can identify who to support based on gender identity. Good practice would suggest that accepting a person’s stated gender, name, pronouns etc. is the best option when offering services to the community. We need to protect people from further trauma and do no harm in the provision of support.

So how do you build a trans and non-binary inclusive service?

Firstly, we need to rethink how we approach support.

In March 2024 SafeLives published their commissioning guidance for Trans inclusion in domestic abuse services, co-authored by Saskia Lightburn-Ritchie (CEO of My CWA) and esteemed researcher Dr Louis Bailey. It’s about fundamentally reshaping how we design care and support to cater to the unique needs of anyone accessing support, including trans and non-binary individuals.

Creating trans-inclusive domestic abuse services requires more than just a superficial commitment to diversity – it needs a conscious, informed and ongoing effort to understand the unique experiences of trans survivors.

Personally, all too often I’ve accessed public sector services and have found myself in the role of the educator – having to help them navigate how best to support my needs when, in fact, I needed their help. Education and training is crucial if we are to see systematic change in catering the needs of different communities.

It starts with education.

A crucial staring point, is to provide training for staff within domestic abuse services. This training should go beyond basic gender sensitivity and delve into the specific challenges faced by trans people. Staff need to be equipped to offer support that is both affirming and effective, ensuring that trans survivors feel safe and understood. Training should also address the unconscious biases that might lead staff to unintentionally exclude or alienate trans individuals. Excitingly, this is something I am personally developing with Domestic Abuse Experts, a domestic abuse training and consultancy arm of MyCWA utilising our almost 50 years’ experience on the front line.

Secondly, services must ensure that their environments are welcoming to trans people. This could involve something as simple as using inclusive language on websites, forms, and signage, but it also means offering gender-neutral facilities and ensuring that policies explicitly protect trans individuals' rights. For example, not only has MyCWA developed comprehensive policies that affirm the rights of trans survivors, ensuring that they receive the same level of care and respect as anyone else, it has also launched a by-and-for service ‘Trans Without Abuse’ to specifically support trans and non-binary people impacted by domestic abuse.

It’s our experience that trans and non-binary people are much more likely to engage with people in their own communities who have lived experience of the types of intersectional challenges they face. Using our lived experience, the Trans Without Abuse team has created ‘Live Free’: the first-of-its-kind online self-paced domestic abuse recovery programme. Using our expertise of domestic abuse recovery, ‘Live Free’ aims to provide survivors with a deep understanding of domestic abuse, teaching them how to reframe their experiences and set goals to move forwards with their lives hopefully free from abuse. Learn more about Live Free here.

Another critical aspect to trans inclusion in domestic abuse services is the importance of peer support. Many trans survivors may feel isolated, not just because of their experiences of abuse but also because of their gender identity. Creating spaces where trans survivors can connect with others who share similar experiences can be incredibly healing. Peer support groups, whether in person or online, offer a sense of community and understanding that is often absent in mainstream services.

While service providers have a crucial role to play, it's also essential to recognise the role of policy and advocacy in creating an environment where trans inclusion is the norm. Laws and regulations must explicitly protect the rights of trans people, particularly in the context of domestic abuse; by ensuring that trans people are not discriminated against when seeking help and that they have access to the full range of services available to cisgender survivors.

We can’t do it alone.

Advocacy groups like GALOP, Trans Without Abuse and Stonewall have been at the forefront of pushing for these changes, but they cannot do it alone. Domestic abuse services, local authorities, and the broader community must also stand up for trans rights, ensuring that every survivor has the support they need to rebuild their lives.

At the heart of this discussion are real people—people who have endured unimaginable pain and who are simply seeking a way to heal and move forward. Trans inclusion in domestic abuse services isn't just a matter of policy or best practice; it's a matter of humanity. By recognising the inherent dignity and worthiness of every single person, regardless of their gender identity, sexuality, relationship structure, or any other intersecting element of their identity, we can give them the support they need to live a life free from violence and fear.

By creating truly inclusive domestic abuse services, we send a powerful message: that every survivor matters, and that no one will be left behind. We create a society where the most vulnerable among us are protected, where diversity is celebrated, and where everyone has the chance to thrive.

I invite you to join myself, Trans Without Abuse, SafeLives, GALOP, Stonewall et all to commit to making trans inclusion in domestic abuse services a priority. Let’s ensure that when someone reaches out for help, they find a hand that’s ready to support them, no matter who they are. Because everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and loved—and that’s a truth we should all stand behind.

Thank you for reading,

Debbie Cannon

Project Lead - Trans Without Abuse