Gscene News Archive

A Belfast man stands accused of rape, grievous bodily harm, administering a substance with sexual intent, imprisoning and threats to kill against his ex-boyfriend. Prosecutors also claim the victim was beaten with body builders weights, made to stand in a freezing cold shower and falsely imprisoned.

In the High Court, twenty seven charges have been levelled against the man who can not be named for legal reasons.

His ex-boyfriend, a foreign national, claims he was too afraid to report the abuse as the accused had threatened to inform his parents, friends and work he was gay. Defence counsel has insisted the sex was consensual and that they were in a long term relationship until the accused's arrest in February this year.

Rita Hirani, CEO of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) Domestic Violence charity Broken Rainbow, said:
"It's a sad truth that a lack of understanding and ignorance around LGBT domestic violence, results in cases like this where the victim continues to be persecuted further by the criminal justice system. Domestic violence includes sexual abuse, and the use of threats, particularly to out a gay person which is so clear as in this case. Same-sex domestic violence cannot remain behind closed doors; we need to bring these issues out into the open so LGBT people living with domestic violence can break free of their abuse and our communities can receive the help and support they desperately need and deserve. It's a basic human right."

To call the Broken Rainbow helpline phone 0300 999 5428, Mon 2-8pm, Wed 10-2pm, Thur 2-8pm.

For more information about Broken Rainbow view:
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk