Caroline Lucas urges government to save Broken Rainbow helpline
Green MP Caroline Lucas has called on the government to protect funding for LGBT domestic violence charity Broken Rainbow UK.
Broken Rainbow has supported over five thousand people this year and it can only afford to have one person manning the helpline at a time.
LGBT people are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse and half of all victims say they don’t know where to access support.
“If Broken Rainbow is forced to close its services as a result of government cuts, it will mean the loss of a unique service which has made a real difference to the lives of tens of thousands of people,” Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, told PinkNews.co.uk.
“To see it close just at the time when its services are under greatest demand would be perverse and counterproductive, putting more people at risk, and undermining the excellent work it has done to date. I urge the government to think again.”
In response, a Home Office spokesperson said: “Domestic violence and abuse is an appalling crime that this government is committed to ending.
“The government recognises the important role that the Broken Rainbow helpline plays in supporting LGBT victims of domestic violence and abuse, which is why we have provided the helpline with funding of £120,000 in the last financial year.
“Decisions on ongoing funding for 2015/16 are being carefully considered and will be announced shortly.”
