May 28, 2024Today is LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day – a day dedicated to helping to end violence and abuse within LGBTQ communities by increasing visibility and understanding, and giving hope and courage to victims and survivors.
Held annually on 28 May, the day was first established in 2020 and was the first time in history that an awareness day was formed to highlight domestic, family and intimate partner violence and abuse occurring in LGBTQ communities.
The theme for this year is #SeenAndBelieved, which aims to shine a light on the prevalence of domestic or family violence in the LGBTQ communities, but to also let them know there are people and services out there who will support them.
The health sector is a critical entry point for people affected by family violence which presents as an opportunity to provide medical care, support and pathways to specialist support. Every person affected by family violence, with their unique identities and relationships, has a right to be seen and believed by their health care providers.
At Northern Health, the Rainbow Working Group and the Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence (SHRFV) Program are working together to raise awareness on this important health issue.
Tanya Ellis, Program Manager for Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence (SHRFV), says, “Family violence is a prevalent and serious health issue that has a profound impact on the psychological and physical wellbeing of victim survivors. Victim survivors are among our community and frequently present to our health service.”
“It is a human right to live a life free from violence and we all have a part to play in ensuring all victim survivors of violence are identified and supported.”
“Unfortunately, there is still apprehension within the LGBTQIA+ community to disclose family violence or contact mainstream services, which means victim survivors remain largely invisible with low levels of reporting and disclosure.”
“Northern Health aims to play an important role in preventing family violence through providing a respectful, equitable and safe service. We are committed to providing an environment that is safe for all victim survivors of family violence to disclose their experience and receive support and safety.”
Family violence is behaviour by a person towards a family member that is physically or sexually abusive, emotionally or psychologically abusive, economically abusive, threatening, coercive or controlling of that family member and causes them to fear for their safety or wellbeing.
Family violence can impact people of all genders and sexual identities and can occur in all family types including intimate partners, across generations, extended families and carer relationships.
Forms of family violence perpetrated against LGBTQIA+ victims include threatening to ‘out’ a person’s gender, sexual identity or intersex status to family, friends, colleagues or their community, and using this as way to control the victim survivor.
According to the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation, more than 60 per cent of LGBTQ people have experienced domestic, family or intimate partner violence and abuse in their lifetime.
Despite this prevalence, LGBTQ people are less likely to identify domestic or family violence in their relationships, less likely to report it to the police or seek support from services and are far less likely to find support services that meet their specific needs.
Northern Health encourages staff to get involved and show their support to the LGBTQIA+ community by wearing something rainbow throughout the week, have a conversation about what makes a healthy relationship, spread the word on social media with #SeenAndBelieved and becoming aware of recourses available to LGBTQIA+ victim survivors.
At a community level, Rainbow Health Victoria has produced a valuable resource known as ‘Pride in Prevention Messaging Guide’ based on local research into family violence in the LGBTQ community. This is an initiative funded by the Office for Prevention of Family Violence and Coordination in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Victoria.
Staff at Northern Health are required to complete mandatory Family Violence Training.
“Please ensure to complete the training and use the Family Violence Screening & Identification Tool when working with a patient who has disclosed family violence (available on PROMPT and EMR). The SHRFV Team is also available to facilitate family violence training in a face-to-face capacity. Please contact the SHRFV Team if you need to consult or organise training in your area (8405 8519),” Tanya said.
Click here for more information on LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day.
Support services:
• With Respect: Specialist LGBTQI+ Family Violence Service – Ph: 1800 542 847 (Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm)
• Rainbow Door: LGBTQIA+ information, support and referral helpline 0 Ph: 1800 729 367, (10 am – 5 pm, seven days)
• 1800 Respect: 24/7 National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service – Ph: 1800 737 732 (24/7).
• Qlife: LGBTIQ+ peer support, information and referral. Ph: 1800 184 527
• Lifeline: 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. Ph: 131 114
• Disclose to your health professional today to access support and safety.
Featured image: Tanya Ellis, Program Manager for Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence , Chamie, Social Worker and Nik Rawat, Social Worker.
