In late 2012, the Minister for Family and Community Services announced a new approach to responding to domestic and family violence in NSW through the development of a whole of government Domestic and Family Violence Framework - It Stops Here, Standing together to end domestic and family violence in NSW.

This approach sets to improve the way government agencies and non-government organisations respond to and prevent domestic and family violence across NSW.

The reforms will:

• remove obstacles to important information about the level of threat a person is facing, enabling better identification and support for those whose safety is at serious threat;  
• empower those who work on the frontline to act quickly and efficiently; and  
• focus on prevention and ways to promote healthy respectful relationships. 

As you may be aware, NSW Government is holding a four week period of online public consultation on this new framework ending at 5pm on Tuesday 23 July 2013

Following the period of public consultation, the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) will incorporate community feedback to the draft framework and resubmit it to the NSW Cabinet for approval with a proposed timeframe for implementation.

Below are the links to relevant websites that identify the documentation and opportunities to provide feedback.

http://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/

http://engage.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/it-stops-here

SECOND NATIONAL LGBTIQ DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONFERENCE

"Stronger links for safer communities, because it’s all of our business"

Thursday 19th and Friday 20th September 2013

The National LGBTIQ Domestic and Family Violence Conference is a unique platform which focuses on appropriate service and policy responses to LGBTIQ domestic and family violence (DFV) and innovative prevention programs.

The second national conference will be held in Sydney on Thursday 19^th and Friday 20^th September 2013 at the NSW Teacher’s Federation in Surry Hills.

Building on the success of the first national conference in 2011 and the work we’ve been doing, we have expanded the conference to a two-day event.

This year we have a particular focus on collaborative responses to LGBTIQ DFV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, examples of proven best practice and a range of capacity-building initiatives to help services to make their practice accessible to LGBTIQ people.

We will launch the results of the LGBTIQ Domestic and Family Violence survey (the largest piece of research ever undertaken in Australia on LGBTIQ experiences of DFV), explore ways in which an analysis of LGBTIQ DFV fits within a gendered feminist framework and celebrate wins for LGBTIQ people and their families under the 2013 NSW Government Domestic and Family Violence Reforms.

As always we will be keeping the registration costs low to make the conference accessible to all. 

It is an opportunity to meet some of the leading people working in this exciting field of policy and practice and for services to meet the needs of their local LGBTIQ communities.

The conference is being organised by the NSW LGBTIQ Domestic Violence Interagency Working Group. The interagency includes representatives from government and community organisations working together to prevent domestic violence in LGBTIQ communities and/or provide appropriate services to affected individuals and their families.

This conference will be of interest for anyone interested in violence prevention and response including:

• Federal and State Government services and agencies including health, education, housing, police, justice etc
• Non government organisations i.e. refuges, safe houses, specialist housing services etc
• Court advocacy services, legal services, lawyers.
• Youth services, community and welfare workers.
• Victims of crime and victim’s support organisations.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.
• CALD, migrant and refugee support services.
• LGBTIQ community organisations.
• Academics and students in related fields including peace and conflict studies, psychology, sociology, law, social science etc
• Policymakers and researchers.
• Anyone working in the fields of social inclusion, equity and diversity, counselling, behaviour change etc.

REGISTER: We are currently setting up an online registration system and will be opening for registrations week beginning 22nd July.

For further information about the 2013 Conference please contact:

Moo Baulch at the Anti Violence Project ACON on 02 9206 2095 or at mbaulch@acon.org.au

The forum will provide strategies for bringing up childen and consulting with the LGBTIQ community on the needs of families.

Wednesday March 9, 2013

5.30pm- 7.30pm

175-181 Castlereagh St, Sydney

RSVP by March 7 on 02 8362 2888

We are developing an important and unique video resource and training tool on DFV focussing on LGBTI personal stories and experiences.

ACON’s Anti-Violence Project supports people who have experienced homophobic, transphobic, domestic and family violence. We also work to create and maintain safer GLBT communities in NSW ACON's Anti-Violence Project

Domestic and family violence in LGBTI relationships can be hidden or misunderstood. We recognise that most LGBTI relationships are based on love and respect, however we also know that some relationships are based on power and control. This can involve emotional, psychological, financial, social as well as physical abuse and violence http://www.anothercloset.com.au/

This video will be used to train domestic and family violence agencies and workers in NSW, as well as to increase awareness of DFV for the LGBTI community.  The video stories will also be available on YouTube and on the ACON website.

The video will help to:

-          increase awareness and understanding of LGBTI DFV for DFV agencies and workers

-          assist agencies meet the needs for LGBTI people experiencing DFV

-          highlight LGBTI people’s experiences of seeking support

-          increase awareness and understanding of DFV for the LGBTI community

We hope to represent a diversity of the LGBTI community, participants and their experiences in this video. Therefore a selection process will be used to help us reflect this diversity.  Furthermore, and diversity is important to us, we will also pay for people to travel from rural, regional and remote areas to participate in this project.

We also hope to use and stories or experiences which are not used in the video in other ways. For instance people’s stories can be included in an update of the ‘Tales from Another Closet’ print resource/publication (used statewide in training). Download the PDF here.

Expenses will be paid and we will be working through a process that gives people the highest possible level of ethical protection, including confidentiality.

The counselling team here at ACON will also offer support to those participating in the project throughout the whole process. Whilst this may not be needed or used by some, it is important for us that everyone is aware that support options will be available throughout the whole process if required http://www.acon.org.au/mental-health/Counselling/Access

For more information about this project please contact Moo Baulch:

Community Health Promotion Officer / LGBTI Domestic and Family Violence /Anti-Violence Project
9206 2095
rknapman@acon.org.au

The report states:

• One in three women of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender experience domestic and family violence, a similar rate to women in the wider population. Further research is required to ascertain the prevalence and nature of violence experienced within this group.

• Anecdotally, it is known that these populations are significantly less likely to report, seek support or identify experiences of domestic violence or other types of violence and abuse.

• Women of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender have specific needs in relation to domestic/family violence support. Yet, there are significant gaps in service provision for these women who are victims/survivors of violence, leaving many women without support.

>there is a lack of culturally appropriate service providers.

>In NSW, it was reported that women of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender have experienced homophobia and transphobia from mainstream service providers;

>access to services can be restricted when both the victim and perpetrator are trying to access the same service and the services are consequently ‘conflicted out’;

>particular challenges are faced in accessing services in rural areas because services are even more limited in rural areas and some women may not be out to their local community; and

>there is no 24/7 specialist domestic/family violence phone support service operating anywhere in Australia for women of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender.

• The gendered model of domestic and family violence translates to an invisibility of victims/survivors and
perpetrators of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender. At federal, state and territory levels, domestic and family violence among women of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender needs to be explicitly recognised, included and prioritised as a vulnerable non-homogenous group with varying needs.

The full report can be downloaded from the Human Rights Commission website.

http://www.humanrights.gov.au/sex_discrimination/publication/UNSRVAW%20report%202012/index.html 

Most Of Our Communities' Relationships Are Based On Love And Respect. Some are based on Abuse And Control

The online survey was developed to gain a better picture of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ) experiences of, and attitudes towards, intimate partner abuse.

It will give us a better understanding of how we can improve support services for the LGBTIQ community, and how we can educate mainstream services to respond more appropriately to LGBTIQ people experiencing abuse.

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in our survey, generously sharing experiences and opinions on LGBTIQ domestic and family violence in NSW.

We received 570 fully completed surveys and have gathered what we believe to be the largest body of data on LGBTIQ domestic and family violence in Australia.

The next step is the analysis of results. We are aiming to release the findings in early 2013.

If you have any questions about the survey and its findings,

Contact: Moo Baulch
Phone: 9206 2095 / 1800 063 1300
Email: mbaulch@acon.org.au

While most lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people live happy and fulfilling lives, the over-representation of LGBTI people in the depression and anxiety, self-harm and suicide statistics is a matter requiring a concerted, multi-faceted and collaborative response. This symposium will be informed by the key determinants that have been shown to have a detrimental impact on LGBTI peoples mental health and are precipitators of psychological distress and suicidality.

Based on their experience and professional insights, symposium presenters will speak on what they see as the key opportunities and challenges for effective mental health and suicide prevention programmes and services for LGBTI people as well as specific considerations for particular populations; older persons, transgender and intersex.

The symposium is open to anyone who has an interest in promoting the health and well-being of LGBTI people.

Standing Strong, Living Long is an activity of the MindOUT! Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Project – a project funded under the National Suicide Prevention Program

Date:   Wednesday 10 OCTOBER 2012

Time: 9.15am - 4.30pm (Registration from 8.30am)

Venue:   McDonald Room, Sancta Sophia College

8 Missenden Road, Camperdown, Sydney

Cost: $40* (GST Incl.)

Registration is essential as places are limited
Registration closes: Wednesday 3 October 2012

Click here to register now!

Phase Two which began in September 2011 and is funded until September 2013, has two main areas of focus:

• Assisting LGBTI organisations to be more responsive to suicide prevention and mental health issues for LGBTI persons and communities
• Working with mainstream mental health and suicide prevention organisations to assist them to be more responsive to the needs of LGBTI persons and communities

MindOut! contains within it the following projects and initiatives:

• LGBTI Inclusivity Guidelines for mainstream mental health and suicide prevention organisations.
• Practice Wisdom resource for clinicians working with LGBTI people.
• Piloting a LGBTI champions programme in mental health and suicide prevention services
• Advocacy and policy submissions on mental health and suicide prevention initiatives
• Training for mainstream service clinicians on LGBTI inclusiveness and LGBTI related mental health & suicidality.
• Mental Health Promotion Framework for LGBTI populations
• Facilitating a forum for discussion, information sharing and research on LGBTI suicide prevention and mental health through a LGBTI mental health / suicide prevention network.
• Training programme for LGBTI organisations on mental health and suicide prevention

For more information about Mindout go to

http://lgbtihealth.org.au/mindout

This 2 day course examines the symptoms that often accompany major mental health disorders. 

Current treatments, best practice including the use of medications, side effects & the constraints medication may have on a client’s capacity to engage in the counselling process are explored. 

Participants are encouraged to develop effective strategies for working with clients seriously affected by mental health issues & the implications this may have on sexual assault, child protection & domestic violence services is covered.

For inquiries contact ECAV on (02) 9840 3737  or email ecav@wsahs.nsw.gov.au