May 28, 2025Today, 28 May, is LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day – a day dedicated to helping end violence within LGBTQ communities by increasing visibility, fostering understanding, and giving hope and courage to victims and survivors.
LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day was originally created in Australia in 2020. It is the first time in history that an awareness day was formed to highlight domestic, family and intimate partner violence occurring in LGBTQ communities. It has since grown into a global event, with hundreds of government departments and organisations across 20 countries recognising and supporting this important initiative.
The theme for this year is #SeenAndBelieved, with the emphasis on the importance of acknowledging and validating the unique experiences of LGBTQ victim survivors of domestic violence. It aims to bring awareness to the issue and ensure that they are seen, heard and believed.
The health sector is a critical entry point for people affected by family and domestic violence, which is an opportunity to provide medical care, support and referrals to specialist services. Every person affected by violence, each with their unique identities and relationships, has a right to be seen and believed by their health care providers.
At Northern Health, the Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence (SHRFV) Program and the Rainbow Working Group and 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 serious and prevalent 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 that we identify and respond to victim survivors of family and domestic violence.”
“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 disclosure and reporting.”
“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,” she added.
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.
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.
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. Forms of family violence perpetrated specifically against LGBTQIA+ individuals include threatening to ‘out’ a person’s gender, sexual identity or intersex status to family, friends, colleagues or their community and this threat is used as way to control the victim survivor.
Despite this prevalence, LGBTQ+ individuals are less likely to recognise 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, having a conversation about healthy relationships, spread the word on social media with #SeenAndBelieved and become aware of support services available to LGBTQIA+ victim survivors.
Tanya reminds staff to please ensure to use the Family Violence MARAM Screening & Identification Tool when working with a patient who is at risk of family violence. The Tool is best practice in identifying and responding to family violence. The Tool is located on EMR (AdHoc Forms Section) and PROMPT.
The SHRFV Team is also available for specialist family violence consultation and to deliver family violence training. Please contact the SHRFV Team if you need to consult or organise training in your area (8405 8519).
Click here to get involved or for more information on LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day.
Support services:
- Safe Steps: 24-hour State-Wide Crisis Response Service Ph: 1800 015 188
- With Respect: Specialist LGBTQI+ Family Violence Service – Ph: 1800 542 847
- Rainbow Door: LGBTQIA+ information, support and referral helpline Ph: 1800 729 367
- 1800 RESPECT: 24/7 National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service Ph: 1800 737 732
- Qlife: LGBTIQ+ Peer Support, Information and Referral. Ph: 1800 184 527
- Disclose to your health professional to access support and safety.
Pictured in featured image (L-R): Maria Soo, Director, Workforce Planning and Projects, People and Culture, Natalia Dewiyani, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Penelope Vye, Associate Director, Allied Health, Tanya Ellis, Program Manager for Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence and Chamie, Social Worker.
