Tuesday, 28 May 2024

Ministers statements: LGBTIQA+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:21): I rise today to speak about LGBTIQA+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day. This is a really important day on 28 May every year, and the key message of this important day speaks to LGBTIQA+ community members experiencing violence and the importance of the message that they are seen and believed. LGBTIQA+ people make up 11 per cent of our population here in Victoria, and days like this can help to reduce stigma and feelings of isolation and shame that all too often surround those experiencing this immensely difficult challenge, often bedded in trauma. We know that around two-thirds – 64 per cent – of LGBTIQA+ Victorians report experiencing family violence in their lifetimes. Some LGBTIQA+ community members face disproportionately higher rates of family violence, particularly those who are trans and gender diverse, intersex and bisexual. More than 50 per cent of trans and gender-diverse people experience sexual violence, compared with around 13 per cent of the general population.

For rainbow communities there may also be significant barriers in accessing inclusive assistance due to negative experiences with service providers, lack of rural or regional access or lack of family support. Every Victorian, including those from LGBTIQA+ communities, deserves to be safe, recognised and able to access services. We want to ensure that LGBTIQA+ Victorians have access to inclusive wraparound and culturally safe support if they experience family and intimate partner violence. Since the 2015 Royal Commission into Family Violence, which included targeted recommendations for LGBTIQA+ people, Victoria has invested close to $4 billion. Services for LGBTIQA+ Victorians impacted by violence and those seeking behavioural change support include Switchboard’s Rainbow Door, Queerspace, Thorne Harbour Health, QLife and Elizabeth Morgan House. I encourage everyone to reach out for services and support that they may need.