This domestic abuse survivor broke free from a controlling, violent relationship

A domestic violence survivor speaks about how he overcame an abusive queer relationship, as the Home Office this week announced plans to provide funding to support LGBT+ domestic violence survivors.

Matt Lloyd had been with his partner for a year and a half when he was convinced to move from Birmingham to start a new life with him in London.

However, Matt soon found himself alienated from his family and friends, while his partner grew steadily more controlling.

“It started with small things.”

”It started with small things,” Matt explained, “like deleting dating apps and saying, ‘You’re with me now.’

“He got my passwords, and it became normal for him to check through my phone.”

As their relationship progressed, the situation began to escalate.

“It became normal for him to escort me any time I went to see anyone,” Matt said.

“I was only allowed to make friends with his friends and the people he ‘approved.’

“He would repeatedly tell me [my friends] are terrible people, so I became more and more alienated.”

Domestic violence survivor Matt Lloyd (Photo: Nick Duffy)

Matt initially did not recognise signs of an abusive relationship, however, even as his partner grew more and more controlling.