LGBT & Domestic Support Service

We all have the right to live free from violence or fear. Age UK Isle of Wight, working in partnership with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, offer a confidential and safe support service for LGBT victims of Hate Crime and those living with domestic abuse. Make the change today. Breaking barriers for an inclusive Island. We offer safe, confidential & impartial support on the Isle of Wight for people experiencing hate crime and/or domestic abuse.

This service is for people who are: You matter. Your story matters. 50 years and older and who identify Connecting with others who as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, understand and people who can Transgender (LGBT) or non-binary. support you when you need it is enriching. Our service enables: LGBT Drop-in sessions are held on the first Wednesday of every month from Supporting 10am to 2pm at Age UKIW’s offices in Newport High Street, offering free: We are here to offer impartial and confidential information and advice • Information and Advice on hate crime and domestic abuse. • Support around Hate Crime • /Abuse support We can offer support throughout • Support groups/social group criminal justice proceedings and have connections excellent links with the Police and • LGBT friendly services & business other organisations to ensure that links you are informed and supported in a • Referral & signposting onwards client centred way. • Safety advice & information We can help you report hate crimes There are a range of services that Age and get appropriate support to help UK IW offer, and can tailor support you feel safe and secure. packages to your individual need. Sharing We are working hard to increase All forms of violence even including awareness across the Island and to minor bruising and scratches, work with organisations, services, unwanted sexual contact. Threats of businesses and agencies to improve physical abuse are also a hate crime. LGBT awareness & facilitate a more inclusive Island. When any form of abuse becomes Socialising repeated then it can be considered harassment. Developing a sustainable and thriving social network across the island with a range of activities and events to This can be name calling, insults or cater for everyone’s interests. From threats. In addition to this it includes confidential drop ins and support any form of written abuse including groups in a safe environment to more emails, texts, graffiti and hate mail. social events across the wider community. Domestic Abuse When abuse happens within the We all have something we can home, between current or former bring to improve and enrich the Isle intimate partners, or family. It of Wight. We can get so much from includes forced marriage, controlling each other and the communities in of finances, friendships & social which we live. We are one Island activities. together and it is richer because of each and every person here. Threatening to “out” someone is also a form of abuse. What is Hate Crime? A victim does not have to be a If you have experienced any of the member of the group at which the behaviours listed below and feel they hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone were motivated by prejudice or could be a victim of a hate crime. hostility based on your sexual orientation or gender identity, then they may constitute a hate crime. What can I do? Support from the Age UKIW LGBT project can empower you in a Call 999: if you are at risk of harm or variety of ways. in an emergency. If you have been physically abused seek treatment, Victims of hate crime experience even if the injury seems to be minor. isolation and loneliness. Talking to a member of our caring team can help Report it: approaching an to reassure you. organisation that specialises in hate crime will ensure that you are safe. All conversations are confidential and Age UKIW can support you in impartial, for more information reporting such a crime. Reporting a please contact our specialised project hate crime to the police will mean worker Kelly on 525282 or email that the perpetrator can be stopped [email protected]. and potentially be charged. Even if you are not sure that it is a crime, the Age UK Isle of Wight police can only deal with something 147 High Street that is brought to their attention. If Newport you do not want to report it to the PO30 1TY police you can anonymously report it at www.report-it.org.uk. e [email protected] t 01983 525282 Record it: when you report the www.ageukiw.org.uk incident to the police ask for it to be recorded as a homophobic or This project is funded by the transphobic crime. Make sure that Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police & you get a crime number. You can also Crime Commissioner ask for a copy of the report.

Registered charity number 1118711 IDBBOS029 11/11