Pride in Prevention A guide to primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities Marina Carman, Jackson Fairchild, Matthew ...
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Pride in Prevention A guide to primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities Marina Carman, Jackson Fairchild, Matthew Parsons, Claire Farrugia, Jennifer Power and Adam Bourne
A guide to primary prevention of family violence
experienced by LGBTIQ communities
Contents
Introduction and aims....................................2
Where we stand................................................3
Existing frameworks..................................................................................................3
Existing policy initiatives .........................................................................................3
Pride in Prevention: A guide to primary
Existing research and limitations..........................................................................4
prevention of family violence experienced Existing approaches to drivers.............................................................................. 7
by LGBTIQ communities
Marina Carman, Jackson Fairchild,
Key insights....................................................... 9
Matthew Parsons, Claire Farrugia, Inequality and power................................................................................................9
Jennifer Power and Adam Bourne. Gender dynamics......................................................................................................9
Cisnormativity and heteronormativity................................................................9
Produced by Rainbow Health Victoria for the Intersectionality........................................................................................................10
LGBTIQ Family Violence Prevention Project Perpetration of violence........................................................................................ 12
2019–2021
This project is funded by the Office for
Building on existing work............................ 13
Women in the Victorian Department of Societal level.............................................................................................................. 14
Premier and Cabinet System and institutional level ............................................................................. 14
Organisational and community level ............................................................... 14
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to Individual and relationship level ......................................................................... 15
ensure the information contained in this
publication is accurate and current at the Implications for primary prevention........16
date of printing.
Responding to drivers at societal level ...........................................................18
ISBN: 978-0-6487166-6-2 Responding to drivers at system and institutional level.............................20
Responding to drivers at organisational and community level...............22
Layout and editing: tinderspark Responding to drivers at individual and relationship level........................24
Illustration: Thirst Creative
Next steps........................................................ 26
Icons by Smashicons and Freepik
References.......................................................27
© La Trobe University 2020
A guide to primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities
Existing frameworks of violence for women and children, and
This guide has been produced to inform primary prevention LGBTIQ communities.2
This guide is informed by Change the story,
initiatives aimed at family violence experienced by lesbian, Gender and gender inequality are
a national framework for primary prevention
gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer of violence against women and children in built on the assumption that ‘real’
(LGBTIQ) communities. Australia1. Change the story defines primary men and ‘real’ women are necessarily
prevention as follows: heterosexual. But the existence of LGB
It is an output of the LGBTIQ Family Violence This guide has been developed as a people raises the possibility that men
Prevention Project 2019–2021 which is funded resource for those engaged in the primary Primary prevention requires changing and women may or may not behave in
by the Office for Women in the Victorian prevention of family violence experienced the social conditions, such as gender stereotypically masculine and feminine
Department of Premier and Cabinet. The by LGBTIQ communities, and will underpin inequality, that excuse, justify or even ways, and can be attracted to people
project is being undertaken by Rainbow Health pilot interventions undertaken as part of this promote violence against women and of more than one sex or gender. Here,
Victoria, a program that supports LGBTIQ project. The guide: their children. Individual behaviour like trans and gender diverse people,
health and wellbeing through research and change may be the intended result of LGB people challenge the assumptions
X builds on existing frameworks and prevention activity, but such change
knowledge translation, training, resources, that underpin a binary, heterogendered
initiatives cannot be achieved prior to, or in
policy advice and service accreditation model of the relationship between sex,
X summarises the existing research isolation from, a broader change in the
through the Rainbow Tick. Rainbow Health gender and sexuality. In doing so, they
base and knowledge gaps underlying drivers of such violence
Victoria sits within the Australian Research threaten to expose the patriarchal and
X puts forward a proposed model for across communities, organisations and
Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe heterosexist underpinnings of family
understanding the drivers of family society as a whole. A primary prevention
University. violence that link violence against women
violence experienced by LGBTIQ approach works across the whole and their children, and violence against
The overall aims of the project are to: communities population to address the attitudes, LGBTI people. (p. 8)
X makes recommendations for the practices and power differentials that
X address critical evidence gaps in
design and delivery of future primary The report highlighted the need to address
LGBTIQ family violence primary drive violence against women and their
prevention activities the structural drivers of violence experienced
prevention children. (p. 13)
by LGBTIQ people through work at both ‘the
X strengthen understanding of the Note: Variations of the acronym LGBTIQ Primary prevention is targeted at the deep socio-structural level (such as through policy,
drivers of family violence experienced will be used throughout this document underlying social drivers of violence through legislation and institutional practices), and at
by LGBTIQ communities depending on which communities are initiatives aimed at stopping violence before the community or individual level (such as
X develop shared understandings of the included in particular studies or discussions. it starts. This should be distinguished from through direct participation or community
drivers of LGBTIQ family violence and There is a notable lack of research including early intervention, which aims to support mobilisation approaches)’. (p 11)
prevention approaches across LGBTIQ people with an intersex variation, but they will individuals and families by identifying and
organisations, family violence services be included in the discussion below where stopping violence in the early stages. This guide aims to develop these ideas further.
and government research and insights are relevant to their Larger-scale consultation and reviews of
experiences and needs. Change the story identifies gender inequality evidence and interventions will be needed in
X build the expertise and capacity of
as the key social factor driving violence order to develop a shared national primary
LGBTIQ organisations and mainstream
. against women. This is associated with rigid
family violence services in the design prevention framework that is inclusive of
gender roles and stereotyped constructions LGBTIQ experiences of family and intimate
and delivery of primary prevention
of masculinity and femininity. It does not, partner violence. This guide seeks to
activities for LGBTIQ communities
however, include an examination contribute to a process that can be continued
X test and deliver community-based
of family violence experienced by into the future.
primary prevention activities with and
LGBTIQ communities.
for LGBTIQ communities and explore
opportunities for replication Subsequent work by Our Watch and GLHV Existing policy initiatives
(now called Rainbow Health Victoria)
identified commonalities in the drivers As part of the whole-of-government
approach to tackling family violence in
Pride in Prevention A guide to primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities
Victoria, LGBTIQ communities have been
Existing research There are very few studies that include though the gender of the perpetrator was
recognised and included in a comprehensive perpetrators of family violence experienced not always included.12,13 There is limited
policy response.
and limitations by LGBTIQ communities. Many studies research looking at trans and gender diverse
Overall, there is a lack of population-wide investigating the prevalence of LGBTIQ experiences of intimate partner violence,
The Everybody Matters: Inclusion and
data on the prevalence of family violence experiences of family violence have not but it is reported at higher rates than their
Equity Statement 3 strengthens the policy
experienced by LGBTIQ communities, as included questions about the identity cisgender peers, and there are indications
commitment to focusing on diverse
adequate questions about sex characteristics, of perpetrators. This significantly limits that trans women report higher rates than
communities and working towards an
gender identity and sexuality have not been understanding of the dynamics of violence. trans men.14,15
inclusive, safe, responsive and accountable
included in national data sets and studies.
Major gaps here include research that
There is a growing body of Some have suggested that this lack of a
Prevalence includes an examination of the gender and
research focus is related to a culture of
literature that has investigated silence around this violence.5 However,
sexual identity of perpetrators, that separates
Intimate partner violence out the experiences of trans and gender
the prevalence, nature and forms there is a growing body of literature that
diverse people assigned male or female
A number of studies have found that intimate
of violence that are specific to has investigated the prevalence, nature
partner violence is reported at similar rates at birth, and that investigates the specific
and forms of violence that are specific to
LGBTIQ communities. LGBTIQ communities.
in same-gender relationships to heterosexual experiences of non-binary people.
relationships, while some studies have Due to limited research, very little is currently
In reviewing the literature, it is worth found higher rates.5,7,9-11 Research looking known about the experiences of people with
family violence system for all Victorians. acknowledging important limitations at the experiences of bisexual people has an intersex variation.16
Rainbow Health Victoria is contributing to and challenges. mostly investigated the experiences of
the strategic priorities in this policy by bisexual women, finding higher rates
X The few studies that do address family
leading a series of interlinked projects compared to lesbian-identified
violence experienced by LGBTIQ
providing training, support for service or heterosexual women.
communities tend to have small
accreditation through the Rainbow Tick, This appears to most
sample sizes and vary in terms of
and family violence sector development often be violence
methodology, making generalisations
to improve LGBTIQ inclusion. perpetrated
and comparisons difficult.
Free from Violence: Victoria’s strategy to by a male
X Definitions of violence and abuse
prevent family violence and all forms of partner,
vary between studies, and are applied
violence against women4 also includes inconsistently across violence
a focus on driving innovative prevention experienced in families and intimate
practices, including with LGBTIQ communities. relationships.
Activities focussed on primary prevention X Definitions of sex, gender and
of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ sexuality are used differently across
communities have tended to be small-scale studies, failing at times to capture
and uncoordinated. Several projects funded diversity in identity and experience
by the Office for Women in the Victorian within LGBTIQ communities.6–8
Department of Premier and Cabinet are
An important issue in the literature on family
being undertaken, including mapping existing
violence more generally is the dominance
initiatives with a range of partners and testing
of studies of victim-survivors, despite the
new ones. The LGBTIQ Family Violence Primary
difficulties involved in securing participation
Prevention Project aims to bring together and
while minimising re-traumatisation. This
build on this existing work.
focus is valid and necessary, but it can
obscure the importance of investigating what
influences and motivates people who choose
violence, and what can be done for and with
perpetrators to prevent family violence.
Pride in Prevention
Most studies looking at prevalence are In ‘coming out’ within families, LGBTQ people therefore may not be subjected to abuse X Withholding of finances for medical
located in the United States and Canada, can be subject to rejection, abuse and and violence motivated by homophobia, services or items for expressing
but a small number of Australian studies violence. 24–28
Experiences of rejection are biphobia or transphobia. However, people gender identity
have investigated experiences of LGBTIQ linked to high rates of homelessness, with with an intersex variation may experience X Focusing on features associated with
intimate partner violence. 17–19
young people describing verbal and physical unnecessary medical and other ‘normalising’ an individual’s birth-assigned sex and
abuse, and family attempts to ‘normalise’ interventions, as well as negative attitudes saying that a transgender person isn’t
The types and impact of intimate their gender and sexuality. Despite little
29
towards their bodies and identity. 33
a ‘real’ woman or man
partner violence have been found published evidence, people with an intersex
While violence is perpetrated against
X Targeting of gendered body features
variation report family rejection and abuse, during violence41–43
to be similar for same gender especially when their affirmed gender identity
LGBTIQ people, it is important to note that
violence is also perpetrated by and within While these studies have focussed on
relationships and heterosexual differs from their birth-assigned sex.16
LGBTIQ communities — and can potentially intimate partner violence, there are
relationships. However, some Violence in the ‘chosen family’ of LGBTIQ be motivated by homophobia, biphobia, similarities with the homophobic, biphobic
differences have been identified in people has not been investigated. In addition, transphobia and intersexphobia, as well as and transphobic violence reported by LGBTQ
up to a third of LGBTIQ people experiencing sexism and misogyny. Much less is known people within their families of origin.
terms of how perpetrators exploit
intimate partner violence have reported about this violence, and a research focus has
knowledge of sexual and gender having children living with them at the perhaps been avoided due to fear of further
There are also reports that psychological
abuse of people with an intersex variation
identity within social networks or time of the abuse,30 but little is known stigmatising LGBTIQ communities.
within their families can include shaming
wider community in order to control about the experiences of children in
and ostracising, treating the child
LGBTIQ-parented families.
and harm. Nature of violence less favourably and insistence on
‘sex-appropriate’ behaviour.16
Broader experiences of violence Family violence experienced by LGBTIQ
people can include a range of verbal,
Family violence
A number of Australian studies have found
emotional, psychological, financial, physical, Existing approaches
that LGBTQ people report high levels of
Definitions of family for LGBTIQ people verbal and physical abuse, harassment
and sexual abuse, intimidation and threats. to drivers
The types and impact of intimate partner
often distinguish between ‘family of origin’ and sexual assault, including within their
violence have been found to be similar for The literature on drivers of family and intimate
(biological or adoptive family) and other family homes.23,31,32 A recent international review
same-gender relationships and heterosexual partner violence for LGBTIQ communities is
forms or ‘chosen family’ that LGBTIQ people found an elevated risk for these experiences
relationships.9,34–36 not well-developed. However, existing work
create, sometimes in response to rejection. for LGBTQ people that persists through on the drivers of violence against women,
childhood, adolescence and adulthood.23 However, some differences have been particularly theoretical approaches, is relevant
The literature on violence and abuse of
identified in terms of how perpetrators of and useful in this context.
LGBTIQ people by members of their family Within this, trans and gender diverse people
intimate partner violence against LGBTQ
of origin is limited, and often does not define report higher levels of violence and abuse,
people exploit knowledge of identity within Approaches to understanding the drivers of
this as ‘family violence’. There is a small body and sexual violence and coercion. In a recent
social networks or wider community, in violence against women have focussed on
of research mostly focussed on the impact of Australian study of trans and gender diverse
order to control and harm. the role of gender inequality.
negative relationships between parents and sexual health, sexual violence and coercion
LGB adolescents, with even less focussed on This can include: According to Change the Story, the national
was reported most often by trans and
trans and gender diverse adolescents.20 framework for the primary prevention of
non-binary participants who were
X Using homophobia, biphobia and
Experiences of family rejection have assigned female at birth.32
transphobia as a means to assert
been found to have significant negative Experiences of family violence are power and control The literature on drivers of family
consequences on the mental health and X Revealing or threatening to reveal
wellbeing of LGBT young people and, by
compounded by experiences of abuse and intimate partner violence for
and violence in public spaces, educational the sexual or gender identity or
contrast, family acceptance has both a positive settings and workplaces, impacting birth-assigned sex of a partner LGBTIQ communities is not well
impact and protective effect against negative LGBTQ people in all areas and at all X Revealing or threatening to reveal the developed. However, existing work
outcomes.20–22 A small number of studies stages of their lives.2 HIV status of a partner19,35,37–40
on the drivers of violence against
have found that LGB young people are more
likely than heterosexual siblings to experience People with intersex variations may not have For trans and gender diverse people this can women, particularly theoretical
also include:
childhood verbal, physical and sexual abuse.23 diverse sexual and gender identities, and
approaches, is relevant and useful.
Pride in Prevention
violence against women and their children So a major focus in family violence prevention
in Australia, the gendered drivers of — particularly in working with men who use
violence are: violence — is how gender inequality
is reinforced through social norms.50
X Condoning of violence against
Gender norms are not biological, but Inequality and power LGBTIQ people also exist within a broader
women context of masculinised social norms that
socially constructed, learnt, and subject A small number of studies have found that
X Men’s control of decision making and endorse and legitimise violence. It is not
to cultural and historical variation.51 Norms power imbalances influence the dynamics
limits to women’s independence uncommon for men to inflict violence upon
are unwritten rules of acceptable and ideal of violence within same-gender intimate
X Stereotyped constructions of other men in a range of circumstances, and
conduct and behaviour. These are articulated relationships, such as inequalities related to
masculinity and femininity for this to be excused and condoned. Women
in institutions and systems, and influence income, education, ethnicity, access to social
X Disrespect towards women and may also enact violence against other
attitudes and behaviours for individuals within networks, being ‘out’ or other factors. 53–56
male peer relations that emphasise women, including female partners,
family and intimate relationships. The socio- Inequality can also be based on gender
aggression1 in the context of a cultural environment that
ecological model developed to understand identity in intimate relationships for trans endorses anger as one of the few emotions
This approach is underpinned by a the drivers of men’s violence against women and gender diverse people, particularly
41
deemed acceptable during periods of
significant body of feminist literature from is a way of describing this complex interplay those in partnerships with cisgender people. distress60 and assigns greater social value to
the 1970s onwards, which has focussed on of individual, relationship, community and Inequality in power is also a key factor in traits of aggression and dominance typically
power imbalances that are rooted in social macro-social levels.1,52 violence perpetrated in families by adults seen as masculine.51 In these ways, violence is
structures, specifically gender inequality.44–46
Important insights can be gained by bringing against LGBTIQ children and adolescents. condoned as a means of control, regardless
An important predictor of men’s violence an analysis of this literature together with of the gender of the perpetrator.61
against women has been found to be existing research that has investigated Gender dynamics
adherence to sexist, dominating and experiences and understandings of LGBTIQ A number of studies have found that
sexually hostile attitudes.47-49 LGBTIQ communities are not immune to
family and intimate partner violence.
gender norms, but how these operate in the
the dominance of heteronormative
The following section includes some key context of same-gender and gender diverse (and cis-normative) models of family
insights from this analysis. relationships is a gap in knowledge. violence make it harder for LGBTQ
The application of feminist approaches people to recognise and label
to men’s violence against women can intimate partner violence as such,
inadvertently reproduce stereotypes that
link violence perpetration to ‘masculine’
creating silence around this violence.
bodies or gender presentation. This can
lead to assumptions that LGBTIQ people Cisnormativity and
recycle these norms in their intimate
heteronormativity
relationships,57 for example, along the lines
of ‘butch/femme’ or ‘top/bottom’. Some Rigid gender norms are reinforced by the
existing approaches to intimate partner idea that the only ‘normal’ and ‘natural’ bodies
violence have inadvertently contributed to and gender identities are ‘male’ and ‘female’.
societal myths that either violence does not The binary gender norms that drive violence
occur in lesbian relationships or is ‘mutual against women are therefore inherently linked
violence’, and that violence between gay men to the cisnormativity that drives violence
should be tolerated and excused because against trans and gender diverse people, and
of perceptions about comparable physical motivates medical interventions aimed at
strength and power.39,58,59 ‘normalising’ intersex bodies.
Additional research is needed to investigate In addition to rigid gender norms and
gendered dynamics within the diversity of cisnormativity, heteronormativity is a key
LGBTIQ relationships, and how these interact factor in the inequality and discrimination
with experiences of violence. experienced by LGBTIQ communities.
A guide to primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities
Heteronormativity includes a suite of cultural, and help-seeking by victim-survivors37,54,63 in
legal and institutional practices that work some cases also because of self-blame for
to explicitly privilege relationships between victimisation.68 This can be worse for bisexual
‘men’ and ‘women’ as the only ‘normal’ and people who feel doubly excluded from
‘natural’ form of relationship.
62
mainstream and LGBTIQ communities.5
A number of studies have found that the Because of the dominance of cisnormativity
dominance of heteronormative (and cis- and heteronormativity, LGBTIQ people
normative) models of family violence make may also be less able to recognise and
it harder for LGBTQ people to recognise identify abuse and violence in their ‘family
and label intimate partner violence as such, of origin’ as ‘family violence’. This violence
creating silence around this violence. This
63
may be excused or condoned on cultural or
silencing has been found to impact on LGBTQ faith-based grounds. It is also possible that
people staying in abusive relationships, LGBTIQ people may label their experiences
and also to delay recognition of violence as homophobic, biphobic, transphobic
by victim-survivors, their families and or intersexphobic violence, and therefore One
communities.64 There are indications that not see the relevance of messaging and study
LGBTIQ community awareness of intimate programs aimed preventing or responding on family
partner violence is low.65 to family violence. acceptance
of LGBT young
LGBTQ people may delay reporting due to Rigid gender norms, cisnormativity and people found that it
fears that police and service providers will heteronormativity are key factors in the abuse was lower amongst those
minimise or fail to understand or take their and violence experienced by LGBTIQ people from migrant, religious and lower
concerns seriously.17,61 Other studies have within their families of origin, and in society socio-economic backgrounds.26 Others found
and community support or rejection is closely
suggested that silencing occurs because more generally. A recent Australian review has specific experiences within LGBTIQ culturally
related to health outcomes.76 More needs
of fear that reporting intimate partner reinforced the significant connection between and linguistically diverse communities,
to be done to understand the compounded
violence will lead to further stigmatisation gendered and homophobic violence.69 This including faith- or religious-motivated verbal
impact of colonialism and the historical
of LGBTQ identities and relationships.57 This connection reinforces the need for gender- and physical abuse and family exile.70,71
imposition of rigid gender norms and
fear of further stigmatisation appears to be transformative approaches that challenge rigid A small number of Australian studies have
heteronormative family structures, as well as
compounded for people from culturally and gender norms by simultaneously addressing looked at experiences of LGBT people in
how these operate in a current-day context.
linguistically diverse communities.66,67 cisnormativity and heteronormativity. migrant and refugee communities, finding
Meanwhile, there is evidence of high levels of
Experiences of stigma and discrimination erasure and shame, and concern about the
violence and sexual violence (including within
have also been shown to impact on disclosure Intersectionality reactions of immediate and extended family
family settings) experienced by LGBT people
and communities.72–75
with a disability.77,78 Little has been published
Overlapping systems of inequality and
Overlapping systems of inequality discrimination can influence LGBTIQ peoples’ More research is needed to look at intra- on the drivers of violence in this context.
and discrimination can influence experiences of intimate partner and family group differences in these communities
It is worth noting that LGBTQ people report
that might interact with experiences of
LGBTIQ peoples’ experiences of violence. This includes inequality and that relationships with peers and community
discrimination based on culture, Aboriginality, intimate partner and family violence, such as
connections are important protective factors
intimate partner and family ethnicity, socio-economic status, ability, migration status, experiences of pre-arrival or
in terms of health and wellbeing.31 Having
violence. This includes inequality geography, age, migration status and migration trauma, patterns of help-seeking,
other community, organisational, religious,
and varying understandings of relevant
and discrimination based on religion. These can all influence individual, cultural and extended family connections
family and community understandings of issues such as family responsibility and
can also be important sources of support for
culture, Aboriginality, ethnicity, sex, gender and sexuality. Through this, the confidentiality.
LGBTIQ people.70 However, protective factors
socio-economic status, ability, impact of rigid gender norms, cisnormativity There is an absence of research on the for wellbeing, such as religious affiliation,
geography, age, migration status and heteronormativity will be felt differently experiences of family violence for LGBTIQ can be disrupted depending on the level of
by LGBTIQ people depending on these
and religion. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. community acceptance.20
intersecting social characteristics, and can However, there are indications that family
be made worse.
Pride in Prevention A guide to primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities
on both perpetrators and
victim-survivors.81–84
The literature focusses on
how negative self-worth
is expressed through Despite the limitations of existing research, the insights outlined
violence against partners, above provide a basis to begin to develop a conceptual model
or in accepting violence by for the drivers of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ
partners.85 However, while communities. A preliminary model presented below is intended
there is some evidence of
to guide prevention approaches and future research that will
an association, a causal link is
not clear.5,38,86 allow it to be tested and adapted over time.
In addition, the relationship between For LGBTIQ people the drivers of violence the drivers of family violence experienced
family of origin violence and perpetration are likely to be similar and different to by LGBTIQ communities is presented here.
of intimate partner violence is unclear. those experienced by heterosexual and The model includes an examination of
Various studies have linked harsh parenting cisgender women, in that they include rigid the drivers that operate at different levels,
to later intimate partner violence in intimate gender norms, but also cisnormativity and including societal, systems and institutional,
relationships, 87–89
but more work needs to be heteronormativity. A conceptual model for organisational and community, and individual
done in the context of LGBTIQ experiences. understanding the drivers of family violence and relationship.
experienced by LGBTIQ communities must
More broadly, LGBTQ people face high levels This model suggests that the drivers of family
Perpetration of violence of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic
consider the resulting inequality attached to
violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities
LGBTIQ bodies, identities and relationships,
A problem noted in the literature on men’s abuse and violence within a range of social are likely to be better understood in the
and how this plays out within the different
violence against women is the tendency to contexts outside of the family, 77,90
and have broader social context of marginalisation and
contexts of family and intimate relationships.
focus on adversity as a cause of individual been found to experience poorer mental discrimination faced by LGBTIQ communities.
perpetration.1 This can be misinterpreted as health.91–95
This creates a challenging social Drawing on foundational work in Change the These conditions create attitudes that
making excuses for violence, a pattern that context within which to build individual self- Story, a proposed socio-ecological model for potentially drive family violence experienced
can be echoed by perpetrators in justifying worth and healthy relationships.
their behaviour.79,80 Overall, existing research on family violence
A number of studies have focussed on experienced by LGBTIQ communities Societal System & Organisational Individual &
the relationship between experiences of does not currently address a wide range institutional & community relationship
stigma, discrimination, ‘minority stress’ and of research questions that are key to
X Rigid gender X Inequality in X Devaluation of X Homophobic,
‘internalised homophobia’, and experiences of understanding the predictors, drivers or
norms recognition of bodies, identities biphobic,
correlates of this violence. There is also a
Drivers
intimate partner violence for LGBTQ people, bodies, identities and relationships transphobic and
X Cisnormativity
though most studies look at the influence very small body of literature on interventions, and relationships X Reproduction of intersexphobic
X Hetero-
involving counselling, couple and group norms and behaviour
normativity
Relationships with peers and therapy, and perpetrator interventions.96 stereotypes X Normalisation
The literature on primary prevention of of violence
contact with LGBTIQ communities and abuse
family violence experienced by LGBTIQ
are important protective factors communities is not developed.
What do these
X Homophobia, X Invalidation of X Stigma and X Negative
in terms of health and wellbeing. Nevertheless, existing research on family and
biphobia, identities and discrimination self-worth
Having other community, intimate partner violence experienced by
transphobia and
intersexphobia
relationships
X Loss of bodily
X Normalisation
of inequality
X Perpetration
of violence
lead to?
organisational, religious, cultural LGBTIQ communities has established these as X Gendered autonomy X Failure to and abuse
issues requiring further investigation, service
and extended family connections responses and policy focus. Additional insights
cultures of
violence
X Discrimination
X Failure of
recognise
violence
X Poorer health
outcomes
can also be important sources of can be gained by connecting this with the responses to
support for LGBTIQ people. strong body of existing research on the drivers violence
of violence against women.
Pride in Prevention
by LGBTIQ communities, including views that of origin. Gendered patterns of inequality and those who do not have diverse sexual
LGBTIQ people regularly experience
LGBTIQ bodies, people and relationships are cultures of violence also contribute to the and gender identities, may not always be
less valid, healthy or worthy. perpetration and experience of violence within impacted. However, distinct organisational institutional failures to recognise
It is proposed that these violence-supporting
families and LGBTIQ intimate relationships. failures to acknowledge and validate people their identities and relationships, as
attitudes operate at each level of the model
with intersex variations can occur.
well as systemic and institutional
to increase the perpetration of violence System and institutional More broadly, silencing and negative obstructions to individual bodily
experienced by LGBTIQ communities, and level stereotypes in community and family
autonomy. LGBTIQ people continue
the likelihood that this violence is condoned discussions about LGBTIQ bodies, identities
or accepted. Each level of the proposed In Australia, legal recognition and protections and relationships mean that these are denied to face socially-sanctioned
for LGBTIQ people have changed significantly
socio-ecological model for the drivers of family and invalidated. This perpetuates a situation discrimination in areas including
violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities in the last decade, although important gaps where stigma endures, and violence can be
remain for trans and gender diverse, and work, religion, schooling, healthcare
will be examined below. excused and condoned.
people with an intersex variation. Regardless, and social service provision.
LGBTIQ people who experience family
This model suggests that the drivers LGBTIQ people regularly experience
violence may be less able to recognise or experienced by LGBTIQ people is influenced
institutional failures to recognise their identities
of family violence for LGBTIQ people and relationships, as well as systemic and name their experiences as family violence. by inequalities and cultures of violence
are likely to be better understood institutional obstructions to individual bodily This is likely to be compounded by an created by gender norms, cisnormativity
absence of positive models and portrayals and heteronormativity, along with other
in the broader social context of autonomy. LGBTIQ people continue to face
inequalities in power and resources.
socially-sanctioned discrimination in areas of healthy family and intimate relationships.
marginalisation and discrimination including work, religion, schooling, healthcare Some LGBTIQ people have limited support
Repeated experiences of stigma and
faced by LGBTIQ communities. and social service provision. from their families and communities, and
discrimination can lower the expectations
this may increase social isolation. LGBTIQ
Inequality in recognition of LGBTIQ bodies, of LGBTIQ people that they deserve to be
communities may not know about or be
Societal level identities and relationships is devaluing able to access inclusive family violence
treated equally and with respect. Coupled
and reproduces stigma and discrimination. with broader experiences of violence, this
Rigid gender norms produce attitudes that services, as this has only more recently been
Media portrayals of, and commentaries can serve to normalise violence experienced
the only acceptable and ‘normal’ forms recognised as a community need in Victoria.
about, LGBTIQ people can be negative and by LGBTIQ people within a family or intimate
of human expression of sex, gender and Within LGBTIQ communities, there may be partner context.
reproduce stereotypes, thereby further
sexuality are cisgendered and heterosexual. less willingness to recognise and respond
reinforcing marginalisation and justifying The perpetration of family violence
Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are to experiences of intimate partner or other
the perpetration of violence. in all forms is a choice. Perpetrators
expressions of discrimination against people family violence — either due to reliance
who sit outside of dominant gender norms Inequality in recognition at this level also of violence need to be held accountable
on maintaining community cohesion, or
and heteronormative assumptions about creates silence around LGBTIQ families and for using violence. Better understanding
investment in the appearance of LGBTIQ
relationships. Similarly, people with intersex intimate relationships. This perpetuates the association between stigma, self-worth,
people having relationships appearing
variations can be seen as sitting outside of an environment where family violence experiencing family of origin violence,
worthy of equal recognition and value.
medical and social norms relating to sex and experienced by LGBTIQ people can remain and perpetration within the diversity of
gender, and therefore be subjected to stigma unrecognised and unaddressed in policy LGBTIQ relationships would help to identify
and shame. and service responses. Individual and relationship strategies for prevention. Negative beliefs
Experiences of violence and abuse for
level about self-worth may influence people
to deny, condone or accept violence
LGBTIQ people within society and within Organisational and The compound impact of rigid gender and abuse. This is associated with negative
families result from, or are condoned because community level norms, cisnormativity and heteronormativity health, particularly mental health, outcomes.
of, the belief that LGBTIQ people are ‘less can create a sense of negative self-worth
than’, or that they require correction to LGBTQ people are regularly denied equal for LGBTIQ individuals. Homophobia,
bring them back to the norm. recognition in organisational policies biphobia, transphobia and intersexphobia
and processes. In addition, norms that can motivate violence experienced by
Homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and exclude LGBTQ people are reproduced in LGBTIQ people within their family of origin
intersexphobia drive violence and abuse organisational cultures unless challenged. and be used by partners in relationships with
towards LGBTIQ people within their families People with intersex variations, especially LGBTIQ people. Intimate partner violence
Pride in Prevention A guide to primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities
On the other hand, existing primary
Repeated experiences of stigma
prevention organisations and programs
have significant expertise in understanding and discrimination can lower the
and acting to challenge the drivers of expectations of LGBTIQ people that
gender-based violence. However, programs they deserve to be treated equally
addressing or including LGBTIQ communities
Understanding the drivers of family violence experienced have not yet been consistently implemented.
and with respect. Coupled with
by LGBTIQ communities is essential in targeting primary broader societal violence, this can
An integrated and mutually reinforcing
prevention efforts. #E
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violence for LGBTIQ people within a
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An integrated and mutually around approaches, settings and techniques.
Change the story argues for a sustained
of violence and increase the ability of
family or intimate partner context.
reinforcing approach needs to be and intensive effort at all levels of the
people and communities to recognise and
respond. This is important in leading whole-
developed. This approach needs to socio-ecological model in order to shift the
These principles should be considered in
of-community initiatives to prevent violence,
both counter the drivers of violence entrenched gender-based norms driving
and supporting LGBTIQ people the design and implementation of all primary
violence. For LGBTIQ communities, this must
and increase the ability of people include effort to shift rigid gender norms, as
and communities. prevention activities aimed at family violence
experienced by LGBTIQ communities.
and communities to recognise well as cisnormativity and heteronormativity. The earlier literature review
ho
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GLHV (now RainbowM y
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primaryBoprevention work for family violence (‘Nothing about us without us’)
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in LGBTIQ inclusion programs and policy
groundwork in identifying essential actions LGBTIQ inclusion into mainstream
initiatives, particularly in Victoria. However, X Engage and include LGBTI
to reduce the drivers of violence against primary prevention activities.
within this, the dynamics around the drivers people in the planning, design
women and children, as well as suggestions The conceptual model outlined above
of family and intimate partner violence and implementation of all
experienced by LGBTIQ people prevention efforts can be used to inform the development
have not been consistently X Address the structural drivers of of essential high-level strategic actions as
understood or violence against LGBTI people well as achievable short-term interventions.
addressed. X Uphold and promote human rights Proposed approaches to guide future primary
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A guide to primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communitiesResponding to drivers
at societal level
Workforce development
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for intervention
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community development, human rights
cisnormativity and heteronormativity. This
What do these approach recognises the need to address
advocacy and targeted campaigns that
counter myths and stigma. The resources
lead to? homophobia, biphobia, transphobia
and skillsets of these workforces could
and intersexphobia as an integral part of
X Homophobia, biphobia, broader approaches to achieve gender
be combined and readily applied to the
transphobia and equity.
prevention of family violence experienced
intersexphobia by LGBTIQ communities.
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of violence organisations in the sectors engaged in
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wellbeing, explore building coalitions
training packages to support mainstream
to further understanding and action to
prevention workers to understand the
Essential actions
LO
prevent family violence experienced
drivers of family violence experienced by
LO
by LGBTIQ communities. This could
X Challenging rigid gender LGBTIQ communities, and the principles
include developing shared messaging,
norms, cisnormativity and for partnering in this context, and to train
collaborative projects and activities,
heteronormativity LGBTIQ organisations in how to apply
and further development of gender-
X Challenging homophobia, their existing community engagement
transformative primary prevention models
biphobia, transphobia and and advocacy skills to preventing family
and interventions.
intersexphobia violence. An ongoing professional
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in minimising resistance to social change, could also be established to support
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relationships of LGBTIQ people.
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What do these to be effective in working towards gender
lead to?
equity, to support coalition-building Media
around campaigns for equality for
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responses LGBTIQ people as key to achieving gender including family violence, hate crimes
equality for all. and suicide.Responding to drivers Community
at organisational and mobilisation
Initial priorities
community level for intervention
Attention should be given to strategies that
improve awareness in families with LGBTIQ
family members and encourage access to
support. Other interventions could draw on
the successful mobilisation of the broader
LGBTIQ-community-led community around LGBTIQ-specific issues
prevention campaigns (e.g. marriage equality), with the aim of
including family violence prevention.
LGBTIQ community organisations
should be supported to develop primary Existing primary prevention interventions
prevention messaging and resources. targeting violence against women
Drivers at this level These can target LGBTIQ communities that have been effective in improving
where relevant, but also be designed to be community sensitivity and responsiveness
X Devaluation of bodies,
distributed throughout the broader sectors should be tested in LGBTIQ communities.
identities and relationships
engaged in primary prevention of violence Interventions should aim to improve
X Reproduction of norms
against women. LGBTIQ community awareness and
and stereotypes
encourage early help-seeking.
Primary prevention messaging guidance
should be developed to support media
and marketing campaigns that focus on
Bystander programs
responsible and positive representation of
What do these LGBTIQ people, myth-busting to assist in Priority should be given to engaging and
lead to? recognition of violence, and messages on mobilising bystanders throughout the
how to be a good ally. Guidance should be community to challenge homophobic,
X Stigma and discrimination
developed around effective and ongoing biphobic, transphobic and intersexphobic
X Normalisation of inequality
consultation with LGBTIQ communities in behaviour and attitudes that support
X Failure to recognise violence
the development of primary prevention violence against LGBTIQ communities,
messaging. where it is safe to do so.
Existing bystander programs designed
to support participants to take safe and
Organisational
Essential actions appropriate action to challenge gender-
development based violence and violence-supporting
X Supporting positive, equal attitudes and behavior could be readily
and respectful LGBTIQ Guidance could be developed on adapted to include responding to
relationships including measures and questions homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and
and communities around gender diversity within whole-of- intersexphobia.
X Promoting pride in LGBTIQ organisation gender equality strategies
and workplace or community attitude LGBTIQ-community-specific bystander
bodies, identities, families
surveys. Other measures for LGBTIQ programs should be developed and tested
and relationships
inclusion are established as part of the to focus on challenging existing cultures of
X Raising awareness and
Rainbow Tick accreditation program, violence and the normalisation of violence
community capability
with associated resources and training experienced by LGBTIQ communities and
to respond to violence
available to organisations nationally. within LGBTIQ intimate relationships.Responding to drivers
at individual and
relationship level
Pride Programs
There are a range of existing pride
programs that focus on remedying
damage caused to individuals by
homophobia, biphobia and transphobia,
and promoting pride in identity and
Drivers at this level relationships. Opportunities should be
explored to expand the capacity of
X Homophobic, biphobic, existing pride programs to prevent and
transphobic and respond to family violence experienced
intersexphobic behaviour by LGBTIQ communities.
X Normalisation of violence
and abuse
Initial priorities Supporting positive
for intervention intimate relationships
Peer programs and online resources
What do these could also be funded that assist LGBTIQ
lead to? Supporting families individuals to develop the skills and
attitudes that support equal, respectful
X Negative self-worth Existing programs for new parents and
and non-violent relationships. An
X Perpetration of violence other family support programs could
important focus in these programs
and abuse be expanded to incorporate positive
should be connecting LGBTIQ people
X Poorer health outcomes messaging around having a child that is
with community programs and spaces
LGBTIQ. There could also be an expansion
that celebrate and support positive
of peer programs for the parents and
intimate relationships.
siblings of LGBTIQ children. These
programs should be recognised for Programs should also be developed to
Essential actions their role in primary prevention of family support the partners of LGBTIQ people
violence, in that they: to build positive and healthy intimate
X Supporting families to fully
relationships. This could include programs
embrace LGBTIQ children X Address homophobia, biphobia,
aimed at the heterosexual and cisgender
and family members transphobia and intersexphobia
partners of bisexual or trans and gender
X Supporting positive X Promote celebration of diverse
diverse people. Messages could target
intimate relationships bodies, sexualities and genders
shaming and silencing, with a focus
X Enabling positive X Provide connections to a
on building pride, respect and positive
community connections supportive community
community connections.You can also read
