Wednesday, 29 May 2024

Ministers statements: LGBTIQA+ family violence services

Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Employment) (14:33): Yesterday was LGBTQI+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day. The Allan Labor government knows all victim-survivors of family and sexual violence should be seen and should be believed. Sixty-five per cent of queer people have experienced family violence. This includes intimate partners as well as family members who show their intolerance through using violence, and using violence is a choice no-one should make. Our rainbow community can face additional barriers to support, including being less likely to seek help because of fears of stigma and bigotry. It is important we keep taking dedicated preventative action to address this violence before it starts and to address inequality and intolerance.

Since the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence we have continued to lead the nation in investing in building the capacity of our wonderful family violence sector. The Allan Labor government is preventing and responding to family and sexual violence, including with a focus on rainbow communities. This includes heightening awareness in queer communities of the complexities of family violence. The LGBTQIA+ family violence prevention project supports resource development, building the evidence base for primary prevention of family violence in queer communities. Through grassroots grants we are helping young people understand affirmative consent. Our innovative and nation-leading family violence reforms recognise the need for tailored support services that address the diversity of our communities. That includes funding for Switchboard’s Rainbow Door helpline, Thorne Harbour Health’s GBTQ men’s behaviour change program, Queerspace’s Futures Free from Violence program and the WithRespect specialist family violence service. We are rolling out the Rainbow Tick to mainstream specialist family violence services, ensuring safe and inclusive places for all victim-survivors. On this side of the chamber equality is not negotiable, and this government will continue our work to make sure that every Victorian lives free from violence.