The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
Minister for Social Services
Member for Kingston
The Hon Justine Elliot MP
Assistant Minister for Social Services
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
Member for Richmond
The Albanese Labor Government is increasing support for LGBTIQA+ people who are at risk of family, domestic, or sexual violence.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia has been awarded $154,000 to host a national roundtable for specialists working in LGBTIQA+ family, domestic and sexual violence services, and extend a peer support pilot program for LGBTIQA+ people with disability experiencing isolation.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said the investment recognises there is more work to be done to support the LGBTIQA+ community. Through the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022 2032, there is a strong commitment to preventing family, domestic, and sexual violence and supporting all people who are impacted by it.
"We know that LGBTIQA+ community members can be at a higher risk of experiencing family, domestic, and sexual violence," Minister Rishworth said.
"Also LGBTIQA+ people may face additional barriers in identifying and reporting the violence they have experienced, as well as getting appropriate support."
The national roundtable for specialists working in LGBTIQA+ family, domestic and sexual violence will be held later this year.
The roundtable will bring together LGBTIQA+ specialists from a variety of FDSV sectors to understand the systematic gaps impacting quality service provision, in order to better direct supports.
The Peer Support Pilot for LGBTQIA+ people with disability experiencing isolation will also be extended for one year in response to its higher than anticipated demand. This pilot is running alongside two other LGBTIQA+ sexual violence and sexual harassment prevention pilot programs.
The information from these initiatives will contribute to informing future actions under the National Plan to meet the needs of the LGBTIQA+ community.
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot, said the national roundtable will be informed by the outcomes of the survey, commissioned by the government, into LGBTIQA+ people's experiences of sexual violence and sexual harassment.
"The survey outcomes will provide vital and detailed data about the prevalence, norms, attitudes, and practices relating to sexual violence prevention for people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity," Assistant Minister Elliot said.
"Importantly, it will also deepen the evidence base for primary prevention activities in LGBTIQA+ communities and help inform the establishment of a unified approach to research, advocacy, policy, education, awareness raising and capability building."
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Say It Out Loud encourages LGBTQ+ communities to have healthy relationships, get help for unhealthy relationships and support their friends. Visit www.sayitoutloud.org.au
QLife provides free telephone and web-based counselling, referrals and support for LGBTIQ+ people and their families, call 1800 184 527 or chat online via www.qlife.org.au
