“Poorly-served” LGBTQ victims of sexual and domestic abuse ‘aren’t going to police’

LGBTQ victims of sex abuse and domestic violence often don’t report offences to police, Dorset’s police and crime commissioner says.

Martyn Underhill said people in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community are “poorly-served” as he launched the new police and crime plan.

Mr Underhill, a trustee for Bournemouth Pride festival Bourne Free, said: “It’s a really hard community to get into.

“I wake up every day knowing there are people in that community being abused.

“I don’t think we engage with that particular community enough.”

Helen Stevens, service manager at Dorset Rape Crisis, also spoke at the launch of the plan.

She said key workers must continue to try and “break down taboos”.

“It is a barrier to overcome,” Ms Stevens added.

“We are trying to find ways to engage with that community.”