About you
What is your name?
Name
Paul Daly
Are you responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation?
Organisation
LGBT Youth Scotland
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on equalities and human rights
How have groups of people been affected by the virus?
Please enter your answer in the text box below
For many LGBTI young people, the family home does not feel like a safe or welcoming environment. During this period of enforced lockdown LGBT young people may experience homophobia, biphobia or transphobia as well as familial abuse at an increased rate.
Research shows that LGBT young people pre-lockdown were already over-represented in homelessness populations, experienced domestic abuse at the same level as women and had already poor indicators of poor mental health. LGBT Youth Scotland are concerned that without adequate support in place, LGBT young people may be higher risk with little or no opportunity to seek support outwith the home.
Gender Identity Clinics (GICs) are currently closed and waiting lists will inevitably increase. Before these measures were introduced, young people had to wait two years for their first appointment, so it is inevitable that this waiting time will increase once services are returned to normal.
Research shows that LGBT young people pre-lockdown were already over-represented in homelessness populations, experienced domestic abuse at the same level as women and had already poor indicators of poor mental health. LGBT Youth Scotland are concerned that without adequate support in place, LGBT young people may be higher risk with little or no opportunity to seek support outwith the home.
Gender Identity Clinics (GICs) are currently closed and waiting lists will inevitably increase. Before these measures were introduced, young people had to wait two years for their first appointment, so it is inevitable that this waiting time will increase once services are returned to normal.
Have there been specific equality or human rights impacts on groups of people as a response to the virus?
Please enter your answer in the text box below
Mental Health
A significant number of LGBT young people that already have indicators of poor mental health such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts etc and at a higher level than the general population. We anticipate that this may be heightened during this current time. LGBT Youth Scotland is also aware that NHS mental health staff are being re-deployed, and this will have a significant impact on those LGBT young people who can no longer access clinical support (or were on a waiting list to do so).
• 84% of LGBT young people and 96% of transgender young people indicated that they had experienced mental health problems and associated behaviours
• Half (50%) of LGBT young people and 63% of transgender young people experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours
Reference: Lough Dennell, B.L., Anderson, G. and McDonnell, D. (2018) Life in Scotland for LGBT Young People. LGBT Youth Scotland.
• A survey of young people in Scotland during lockdown showed that 96% of young people worry about the impact of Coronavirus on their future, with 77% worried about their mental health and wellbeing.
Reference: Lockdown Lowdown - what young people in Scotland are thinking about COVID-19, available online: https://www.youthlinkscotland.org/media/4486/lockdown-lowdown-final-report.pdf
Safety at Home
For many LGBTI young people, the family home does not feel like a safe or welcoming environment. During this period LGBT young people may experience homophobia, biphobia or transphobia as well as familial abuse. Furthermore, there is a potential increased risk of homelessness as there are already high rates of homelessness amongst LGBT young people and ‘familial abuse’ is one of the key reasons for homeless amongst LGBTI youth.
• LGBTI young people are disproportionately represented in the young homeless population. As many as 24% of young homeless people are LGBT
• 69% of homeless LGBT young people had experienced violence, abuse or rejection from the family home
• 77% state that their LGBT identity was a causal factor in them becoming homeless
Reference: LGBT Youth Homelessness: A UK National Coping of Cause, Prevalence, Response and Outcome (2006). The Albert Kennedy Trust.
• 61% of LGBT young people have experienced some form of abuse in their families/home.
Reference: Voices Unheard (2010) Domestic Abuse: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People's Perspectives. LGBT Youth Scotland
LGBT people experience domestic abuse at the same rates as women (1 in 4). In other countries where lockdown measures have been put in place, domestic abuse has increased. LGBT young people may be affected by domestic abuse taking place in their family home OR they may be living with a partner and experience domestic abuse in their relationship.
• 1 in 4 lesbian, gay and bisexual people will experience domestic abuse in their lives.
Donavan et al. (2006) Comparing Domestic Abuse in Same Sex and Heterosexual Relationships. University of Bristol
• 80% of transgender people have experienced some form of abusive behaviour from a partner or ex-partner
Roch et al. (2010) Out of Sight Out of Mind, Transgender People's Experience of Domestic Abuse. LGBT Youth Scotland & the Scottish Transgender Alliance
• Evidence also shows that age (i.e. being young) and being newly ‘out’ as LGB are risk factors in experiencing domestic abuse.
Catherine Donovan & Marianne Hester (2014). Domestic Violence and Sexuality - What's love got to do with it? University of Bristol
Gender Identity Services
Many NHS staff who would usually provide ‘Gender Identity Services’ have been redeployed and the Sandyford Clinic (for young people) has been closed. Before NHS restructuring (due to COVID-19), trans people would expect a wait of two years for their first appointment. It is therefore anticipated that this will increase.
A significant number of LGBT young people that already have indicators of poor mental health such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts etc and at a higher level than the general population. We anticipate that this may be heightened during this current time. LGBT Youth Scotland is also aware that NHS mental health staff are being re-deployed, and this will have a significant impact on those LGBT young people who can no longer access clinical support (or were on a waiting list to do so).
• 84% of LGBT young people and 96% of transgender young people indicated that they had experienced mental health problems and associated behaviours
• Half (50%) of LGBT young people and 63% of transgender young people experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours
Reference: Lough Dennell, B.L., Anderson, G. and McDonnell, D. (2018) Life in Scotland for LGBT Young People. LGBT Youth Scotland.
• A survey of young people in Scotland during lockdown showed that 96% of young people worry about the impact of Coronavirus on their future, with 77% worried about their mental health and wellbeing.
Reference: Lockdown Lowdown - what young people in Scotland are thinking about COVID-19, available online: https://www.youthlinkscotland.org/media/4486/lockdown-lowdown-final-report.pdf
Safety at Home
For many LGBTI young people, the family home does not feel like a safe or welcoming environment. During this period LGBT young people may experience homophobia, biphobia or transphobia as well as familial abuse. Furthermore, there is a potential increased risk of homelessness as there are already high rates of homelessness amongst LGBT young people and ‘familial abuse’ is one of the key reasons for homeless amongst LGBTI youth.
• LGBTI young people are disproportionately represented in the young homeless population. As many as 24% of young homeless people are LGBT
• 69% of homeless LGBT young people had experienced violence, abuse or rejection from the family home
• 77% state that their LGBT identity was a causal factor in them becoming homeless
Reference: LGBT Youth Homelessness: A UK National Coping of Cause, Prevalence, Response and Outcome (2006). The Albert Kennedy Trust.
• 61% of LGBT young people have experienced some form of abuse in their families/home.
Reference: Voices Unheard (2010) Domestic Abuse: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People's Perspectives. LGBT Youth Scotland
LGBT people experience domestic abuse at the same rates as women (1 in 4). In other countries where lockdown measures have been put in place, domestic abuse has increased. LGBT young people may be affected by domestic abuse taking place in their family home OR they may be living with a partner and experience domestic abuse in their relationship.
• 1 in 4 lesbian, gay and bisexual people will experience domestic abuse in their lives.
Donavan et al. (2006) Comparing Domestic Abuse in Same Sex and Heterosexual Relationships. University of Bristol
• 80% of transgender people have experienced some form of abusive behaviour from a partner or ex-partner
Roch et al. (2010) Out of Sight Out of Mind, Transgender People's Experience of Domestic Abuse. LGBT Youth Scotland & the Scottish Transgender Alliance
• Evidence also shows that age (i.e. being young) and being newly ‘out’ as LGB are risk factors in experiencing domestic abuse.
Catherine Donovan & Marianne Hester (2014). Domestic Violence and Sexuality - What's love got to do with it? University of Bristol
Gender Identity Services
Many NHS staff who would usually provide ‘Gender Identity Services’ have been redeployed and the Sandyford Clinic (for young people) has been closed. Before NHS restructuring (due to COVID-19), trans people would expect a wait of two years for their first appointment. It is therefore anticipated that this will increase.
What do the Scottish Government and public authorities (e.g. local authorities, health boards etc.) need to change or improve as a matter of urgency?
Please enter your answer in the text box below
Mental Health
• Steps should be taken to assure that the impact of LGBTI young people who are currently not able to access clinical support are minimised and mitigation strategies should be put in place.
Safety at home
• Clear messaging that domestic abuse support services are open to LGBTI people, including those experiencing familial abuse.
• Communication of these messages should not rely on digital methods as many young LGBTI people will not have private access to devices
• LGBTI people that experience homelessness must be able to practice social distancing guidance.
• Age appropriate accommodation for young LGBTI people with adequate safeguarding must not be compromised.
Gender Identity Services
1. Gender Identity Services must not be disproportionately impacted by the response to COVID-19
2. Adequate resources for young LGBTI people must be put in place those that are
a. already on waiting lists
b. attempting to access waiting lists access
• Steps should be taken to assure that the impact of LGBTI young people who are currently not able to access clinical support are minimised and mitigation strategies should be put in place.
Safety at home
• Clear messaging that domestic abuse support services are open to LGBTI people, including those experiencing familial abuse.
• Communication of these messages should not rely on digital methods as many young LGBTI people will not have private access to devices
• LGBTI people that experience homelessness must be able to practice social distancing guidance.
• Age appropriate accommodation for young LGBTI people with adequate safeguarding must not be compromised.
Gender Identity Services
1. Gender Identity Services must not be disproportionately impacted by the response to COVID-19
2. Adequate resources for young LGBTI people must be put in place those that are
a. already on waiting lists
b. attempting to access waiting lists access
What do the Scottish Government and public authorities need to change or improve in the medium to long term?
Please enter your answer in the text box below
Mental Health
• Resources to be put in place to ensure waiting lists for clinical mental health support are not disproportionately impacted by the response to COVID-19, with particular consideration given to LGBTI young people.
Gender Identity Services
• Medical procedures that trans young people were waiting for must not be deprioritised when the NHS reconfigures back into ‘normal’ service delivery.
• Resources to be put in place to ensure waiting lists for clinical mental health support are not disproportionately impacted by the response to COVID-19, with particular consideration given to LGBTI young people.
Gender Identity Services
• Medical procedures that trans young people were waiting for must not be deprioritised when the NHS reconfigures back into ‘normal’ service delivery.