Who we are
The LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation is a charity comprised of a collective of passionate volunteers, desperate to shine a light on an epidemic that’s been plaguing LGBTQ+ communities for far too long.
Although limited, research has indicated that over 60% of LGBTQ+ people have experienced domestic, family and intimate partner violence. This needs to change! On top of that, there is a fundamental lack of awareness, representation and understanding that this abuse is so prevalent. Because of this, LGBTQ+ people feel unseen and often have limited resources to draw from to get help.
It is the ambition of LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation to confront these issues and to advocate for necessary changes in both the visibility of LGBTQ+ people’s experiences and the quality of response they receive when reaching out for help. We aim to create change and bring greater awareness to the issues to ensure that all people no matter their sexuality or gender identity can feel seen and believed and receive safe and inclusive support.
To ensure that every victim’s voice was heard, in 2020 with the assistance of DVConnect, Ben Bjarnesen and Beck O’Connor established the inaugural LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day to raise awareness of Domestic and Family Violence in LGBTQ+ communities in Queensland, Australia. The campaign quickly gained support both within Australia and overseas with many high-profile figures showing their support for the day including Former Governor-General of Australia, The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO and the Prime Minister of Australia.
What we do
Education is crucial if we are to succeed in ending domestic violence. There is a need for LGBTQ specific domestic violence education to reduce the barriers to reporting, and to address low rates of reporting and support seeking from victims.
It is essential that organisations and individuals better understand the unique needs of LGBTQ people and tactics of abuse used in LGBTQ relationships, to reduce the barriers that prevent victims from identifying and reporting abuse in their relationships and seeking support.
We are working to develop educational resources for frontline workers, domestic violence support services, workplaces, and the broader community to help support them to better understand how they can ensure LGBTQ people are safely supported if they experience domestic or family violence.