A Monash University expert is available to discuss new research about LGBTQ+ victim-survivors’ experiences of Victoria’s family violence intervention order system, and the high rate of misidentification of perpetrators.
Key findings:
First in-depth report into how LGBTQ+ family violence victim-survivors engage with intervention order systems
LGBTQ+ victim-survivors face many of the barriers to accessing safety via intervention order systems that cisgender heterosexual women face, but they also face different and unique microaggressions as they seek safety and protection from intimate partners and family members
High rates of participants misidentified as the predominant aggressor
More training, education and action is needed to ensure safe practice within the legal system and police when responding to LGBTQ+ family violence to prevent discriminative and dismissive behaviours.
More data-led and empirical research is needed about how intervention order systems respond to LGBTQ+ family violence to find better support solutions.
Dr Ellen Reeves, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Monash Gender and Family Violence , Prevention Centre
