Rutland Council to Hear ‘Scary’ Statistics on LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse as Project Echo Gains Momentum

Rutland Council to Hear ‘Scary’ Statistics on LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse as Project Echo Gains Momentum

By the Rutland Democracy Reporter

Rutland County Councillors will this week receive a sobering update on the state of domestic abuse support across the county, highlighting the specific vulnerabilities of the LGBTQ+ community and a new push to put survivors at the heart of policy-making.

The report, authored by Councillor Christine Wise following a meeting of the Leicestershire and Rutland Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board, reveals that while the most recent session was brief, the data shared was anything but light.

A presentation from the Leicestershire LGBTQ+ Centre provided a stark reminder of the disproportionate impact of domestic violence on sexual and gender minorities. According to the data brought back to the Council, one in five (20%) LGBTQ+ people have experienced domestic abuse from a partner.

Even more troubling for local advocates is the statistic that one in three LGBTQ+ people in the UK have faced abuse from their own relatives. Cllr Wise described the figures as "scary," noting that the Centre is using its current funding to bridge gaps in support that have historically left these victims feeling isolated from mainstream services.

The Council is also set to hear the first details of Project Echo, an ambitious new initiative aimed at fundamentally changing how Rutland and Leicestershire design their support systems.

The project’s goal is to create a "sustainable model" that embeds the actual voices of child and adult survivors into the delivery of policies. Rather than services being designed solely by officials, Project Echo ensures those with lived experience of abuse have a seat at the table.

The project is currently in its infancy, with coordinators busy gathering data from a wide variety of community groups to ensure the final framework is representative of Rutland’s diverse population.

The report also touched upon the Domestic Abuse Act Funding Update, though many details were "taken as read" during the partnership board meeting. Councillors are expected to seek assurances that Rutland’s share of national funding is being targeted effectively, particularly toward the "Invest to Save" initiatives and early intervention programs like Project Echo.

The Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board remains a critical link between the County Council and the frontline charities and police services tasked with keeping Rutland residents safe.

The report will be formally noted at the Full Council meeting this week at Catmose.

Are you affected?

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, you can contact the Rutland Domestic Abuse Service or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247.