Implemented
Who is leading the change
Family Safety Victoria
The Victorian LGBTI Taskforce, supported by relevant experts, provide advice on the following:
- research priorities relating to the nature and prevalence of and the most effective responses to family violence in LGBTI communities
- effective prevention strategies
- the review of the standards for family violence service providers - including men’s behaviour change programs
- intersections between family violence and health and wellbeing initiatives
In 2017, the LGBTIQ+ Family Violence Working Group (the Working Group) was formally established under the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce. Co-chaired by the Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality and Family Safety Victoria (FSV), the Working Group provided advice to government and the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce in relation to the implementation of the government’s family violence reform agenda as it relates to people from LGBTIQ+ communities.
In providing advice on research priorities, the Working Group and FSV consulted with other experts as needed including the Office for Women, Respect Victoria, the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce’s Health and Human Services Working Group, and the Intersex Expert Advisory Group (with the 2 latter groups being convened by the Department of Health and Human Services).
FSV will identify and support research and practice development initiatives in collaboration with Respect Victoria as part of the first whole-of-government family violence research agenda, as well as through consultation across government and between the family violence and LGBTIQ+ specialist services sectors.
In 2017, the LGBTIQ+ Family Violence Working Group was formally established under the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce, co-chaired by the Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality and Family Safety Victoria (FSV). The Working Group provided advice to government and the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce in relation to the implementation of the government’s family violence reform agenda as it relates to LGBTIQ+ communities.
Initial research on experiences, prevalence and the nature of family violence in LGBTIQ+ communities has been conducted and published, including through Private Lives 3: The Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people in Australia and the Victorian Population Health Survey. This exploratory research will inform program design and future investment in research.
The LGBTIQ+ Family Violence Working Group identified priority areas for research, and proposals are being sought under the whole-of-government family violence research agenda. An initial Request for Tender for targeted research has been released by FSV.
A number of initiatives have been developed in relation to prevention of family violence against people from LGBTIQ+ communities, including a comprehensive literature review and recommendations by Our Watch (launched May 2018); the WeDeserve action research project for trans and gender diverse people experiencing family violence; and a social marketing campaign on family violence for LGBTIQ+ Victorians.
In addition, the Office for Prevention of Family Violence and Coordination in Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Fairer Victoria is currently supporting a new LGBTIQ+ family violence primary prevention pilot program (2019-2021) that will strengthen our understanding of family violence against people from LGBTIQ+ communities.
Revision of the men’s behaviour change standards and practice guidance is underway, and a new Code of Practice for specialist family violence services has been developed by Domestic Violence Victoria that incorporates inclusive practice principles.
FSV is working with the Department of Health to ensure alignment between family violence and health and wellbeing initiatives.
Implemented.
Updated