A positive move by the Queensland Government in 2018 to tackle domestic and family violence in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer LGBTIQ community was welcomed by Brisbane Family Lawyer  with Hetherington Family Law,  Corey Washbourne, who wrote as follows:

A campaign announced by Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer, is needed to not only raise awareness of domestic and family violence within the LGBTIQ community , but especially to provide advice and information on where victims can seek support.

Sadly, domestic violence happens everywhere and can happen to anyone and the LGBTIQ communities are not immune from it.

Government sources cite research which shows that LGBTIQ people suffer domestic and family violence at sometimes even worse rates than the wider community.

LGBTIQ people can also endure unique forms of abuse and may be reluctant to voice their concerns or seek help.

These new measures mean domestic violence perpetrators won’t be able to hide from being held accountable.

The new awareness campaign taps into recommendation 14 of the Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an end to domestic and family violence in Queensland report, to deliver information and advice on the types of abuse that are unique to the LGBTIQ community, and dispel some of the common misconceptions about support options.

I hope the state government’s embracing the LGBTIQ communities in its domestic violence policies will have a positive spin off on how the wider community views people in LGBTIQ relationships.

The campaign addresses the current lack of LGBTI representation in the government’s domestic violence awareness campaigns, which have skewed heavily towards representing heterosexual relationships and traditional gender roles.

It is useful for the campaign to dispel myths around LGBTI domestic violence and confirm that domestic violence is about power and control over another person.  

In the community, you hear of domestic violence incidents often months after it has happened. There is a lack of support from family, especially if a victim’s family rejected them based on their sexuality or gender identity, and perpetrators may be popular and well-known, leading to a fear of speaking out or a belief that they will not be believed or even lose friends from reporting their partner’s behaviour.

So this is a positive first step from the government, and a starting point to build from.

Above all it correctly shines a light on a diversity of bodies, genders and relationships to ensure that everyone can feel like they can access the support that they need when they need it.

More information about the LGBTIQ campaign .

More resources are also available at DVConnect.

Contact us for an appointment with one of our Brisbane family law team.