Domestic abuse news roundup: w/c 14th February 2023

☎️ Galop launches UK’s first LGBT+ rape and sexual abuse helpline

Galop has launched the first ever UK LGBT+ Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline, saying “everyone should have somewhere they can turn to for support, without worry or fear.”

Research by Galop showed that 53% of LGBT+ people in the UK have experienced sexual violence. They also found only 22% of LGBT+ survivors who accessed non LGBT+ specific services were satisfied with the help they received reporting the abuse. The new helpline will provide survivors with a safe space, understanding and support and less chance of discrimination or negative experiences.

The helpline is open Monday-Thursday from 10am-8.30pm and on Fridays from 10am-4.30pm. Call 0800 9995428 or email help@galop.org.uk

🏉 Wales rugby choirs banned from singing Tom Jones hit about femicide

The Wales Rugby Union has removed the 1968 Sir Tom Jones hit Delilah from it’s choirs song list. The pop song is about a violent man who stabs his partner to death after finding out she’s unfaithful and includes the lyrics “She stood there laughing, I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more”.

Wales Ruby Union has been accused of a toxic culture and misogyny in response has said “The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind. We have previously sought advice …on the issue of censoring the song and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of the subject matter”.

💻 New report on porn and young people reveals urgent need for protective measures

A new report about the urgent need to protect children from the harmful impacts of porn has been released. Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, says she’s “deeply concerned about normalisation of sexual violence in online pornography and the role it plays in shaping children’s understanding of sex and relationships.”

The average age children see pornography is 13 with 79% having encountered violent pornography before age of 18. The report finds that “frequent users of pornography are more likely to engage in physically aggressive sexual acts.”

This is why the Online Safety Bill is which is currently making its way through Parliament, is so vital to regulate porn sites and implement a robust age verification to protect children.

TAKE ACTION:

Follow @makeitmandatory on Instagram and support their campaign by sending a letter to the Education Secretary demanding that all young people receive education on domestic abuse. It takes two minutes with this letter template!