The Albanese Labor Government has highlighted its commitment to reforming systems and attitudes to end gender-based violence and improving the safety and wellbeing of the LGBTIQA+ community at the LGBTIQ+ Health Australia 12th Health in Difference Conference in Canberra.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) is the national peak body for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on LGBTIQA+ people.
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot, today addressed the conference and emphasised that supporting organisations like LHA is a key focus reflected in the First Action Plan 2023-2027 as part of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
“Evidence shows that LGBTIQA+ people are at an increased risk of gender-based violence and are less likely to find support services that meet their specific needs following sexual violence.
“Importantly, our First Action Plan explicitly includes LGBTIQA+ people as part of Australia’s commitment to ending all forms of gender-based violence.
“This is why we are taking critical steps to support the community, and promote collaboration and partnerships between LGBTIQA+ organisations that provide health-related programs, services, and focussed research”, Assistant Minister Elliot said.
The conference theme, ‘Fostering Collaboration to Advance the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ People’, aims to explore innovative strategies and address disparities faced by LGBTIQA+ victim-survivors when seeking support.
The Albanese Government is investing $1.5 million into LGBTIQA+ community-led projects under the LGBTIQA+ Sexual Violence Response Pilot, including:
- helping to prevent intimate partner violence through a national campaign,
- social media campaigns focused on LGBTIQA+ families,
- presentations and workshops to teach strategies to prevent family, domestic, and sexual violence.
Assistant Minister Elliot said that continuing to work with LGBTIQA+ communities, and listening to their experiences, is fundamental to achieving the Government’s goal of ending gender-based violence in one generation.
“Just last year, with the University of New South Wales, we commissioned a world-first survey into LGBTIQA+ people’s experiences of sexual violence and sexual harassment, highlighting the need to listen to LGBTIQA+ voices.
“It’s vital that we continue prioritising organisations that respond to sexual violence within LGBTIQA+ communities.”
More information on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 is available on the Department of Social Services website.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au
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