Find a new way through air

 

Rita on LBC Radio, 21st August 2008

 

 

Every week LBC Radio runs a segment on an organisation which uses the Workspace Group’s offices.  On the 21st August, Broken Rainbow was lucky enough to be that organisation, and Rita Hirani, Consultant Trainer for Broken Rainbow, was interviewed.

 

Rita began by relating that Broken Rainbow was set up five years ago, to reduce the distress and suffering caused to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people (LGBT) because of domestic violence and abuse, and to educate the wider community about the reality of domestic abuse.  Since then, Broken Rainbow has made a lot of headway through campaigning and raising awareness.

 

It is now widely recognised that domestic abuse is a crime, and cannot be allowed to continue behind closed doors.  What’s more, it is not just heterosexual women who can be victims of domestic violence, but men, and those in same-sex relationships can also be affected.   Domestic abuse is about power and control by one person over another in an intimate relationship, regardless of the genders of those involved.  For LGBT victims, their experience of domestic abuse is often manifested differently, for example through threats to ‘out’ them to family and friends.

 

Rita explained that our helpline workers and volunteers are LGBT, so they have an understanding of the cultural issues of the LGBT community.  They undergo a high level of training before they can take calls, to ensure that all callers receive a high standard of support.

 

To listen to the interview, please follow this link (awaiting LBC to upload podcast for 21st August 2008)