Disclosure
Encouraging disclosure is essential. Being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and experiencing domestic abuse can increase the likelihood of mental health problems. It is therefore essential to let people know that someone cares and wants to help. Just asking, even if a disclosure doesn’t take place, can be a very important step for someone experiencing domestic abuse. If they decide at that point not to disclose they may then disclose the next time they are asked.
Encouraging Disclosure through language
LGBT people may be discouraged from disclosing if service providers use language which reflect heterosexual assumptions – for example, if it is a woman and she has not disclosed her partner's sex, don’t ask about her boyfriend/husband or use the word ‘he’ in reference to her partner. If her abuser is a woman she may feel that she cannot disclose this or that it mustn't count.
Here is an example of asking someone if they are experiencing domestic abuse which is inclusive:
“There are some routine questions we ask all our clients/service users, as many of them are in relationships where they are either afraid their partners may hurt them or afraid of challenging their partner. Is this a concern for you? Have you ever felt afraid of your partner?”
The example above does not use gendered language, any wording which has been approved by your organisation for encouraging disclosure of domestic abuse could be used with simple changes made from references of 'he/she' to 'your partner'.