SARAH CHAMPION MP URGES GOVERMENT TO PROTECT THE COUNTRY'S ONLY LGBT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REFUGE FROM CLOSURE

Sarah Champion, Shadow Minister for Preventing Abuse and Domestic Violence, has paid tribute to Broken Rainbow, the only national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) domestic violence organisation in the UK, and urged the Government do more to protect its funding. Broken Rainbow, which has served over 42,000 LGBT people in its 11 years, is now 7 weeks away from the new financial year, yet the Home Office has given no indication whether it will provide the funding for it to continue.

On the visit to the charity's headquarters in Manchester as they launched their Rainbow Dot campaign to increase awareness of domestic violence in the LGBT community, Sarah said:

"Broken Rainbow do incredible work supporting people in the LGBT community who have suffered from domestic violence. They are a lifeline to thousands of people up and down the country who can't find specialist LGBT services locally. I am extremely concerned that they face imminent closure unless funding can be found."

"Broken Rainbow still go year to year without knowing if their core funding will be forthcoming. For an organisation that performs such a vital role, this is unacceptable."

"The Government should recognise the issue of domestic violence in the LGBT community and allocate resources properly so that Broken Rainbow can continue to provide its vital service."

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You can reach the Broken Rainbow helpline on 0300 999 5428

Broken Rainbow website - http://www.brokenrainbow.org.uk