Webinar:
Domestic and family violence and intimate partner violence in LGBTQ relationships – a discussion on strengthening practice

Domestic and family violence (DFV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ) relationships.

Yet there are limited programs available to LGBTQ victims/survivors or perpetrators. Mainstream DFV/IPV interventions are not always appropriate as their primary focus is geared towards cisgender, heterosexual female victims/survivors and male perpetrators.

This webinar will explore how the LGBTQ and DFV service sectors can strengthen referral pathways, practice and deliver appropriate DFV/IPV programs for LGBTQ communities.

Using practice expertise and research including the recently published ANROWS research, ‘Developing LGBTQ programs for perpetrators and victims/survivors of domestic and family violence’; the panel will discuss:

• how the “heterosexual face” of DFV creates a barrier to access for LGBTQ people seeking out DFV groups and behaviour change programs.
• minority stress and how it interferes with help-seeking among members of the LGBTQ communities
• what we can do to bridge this gap with inclusivity training within services providing DFV programs and developing formal referral pathways.

There will also be a live Q&A.

This webinar is designed for:

•  practitioners and policymakers working within LGTBQ services and domestic and family violence services.

Enquiries: [email protected]

Presenters

Dr Rebecca Gray
An experienced research-practitioner, Dr Rebecca Gray has used qualitative and mixed methods studies to evaluate the clinical programs of community-based services, with a focus on domestic violence and trauma. Rebecca led the ANROWS research project ‘Developing LGBTQ programs for perpetrators and victims/survivors of domestic and family violence ‘. Having worked at Relationships Australia NSW for more than 12 years, she is now at the Centre for Social Research in Health (UNSW) working on research which aims to inform AOD interventions for marginalized young people.

Dr Jen Hamer
Dr Jen Hamer has worked as a social work practitioner, qualitative researcher, adult educator and senior manager in non-government family and community support organisations in the UK and Australia, for over 30 years. In her early career she delivered domestic and family violence counselling and support programs and more recently as a manager in the Gendered Violence Research Network at UNSW has designed and implemented formal evaluations of State-wide DFV programs. In 2018-2020, as part of her role as head of research and evaluation at Relationships Australia NSW she was an investigator on the ANROWS research project ‘Developing LGBTQ programs for perpetrators and victims/survivors of DFV’. Jen has since moved to Adelaide and is currently Executive General Manager of Education and Trauma Services at Relationships Australia SA, and continues as an adjunct senior lecturer at UNSW in the School of Social Sciences.

Samantha Forbes
Samantha Forbes has been a therapist for 27 years and since then has mostly worked with people to overcome the effects of trauma and violence. Currently, Samantha works as a senior couple and family counsellor at Relationships Australia NSW offering services to people from diverse communities, including LGBTIQ communities. Samantha is passionate about her collaborations with people that address issues of gender, discrimination, abuses of power, social justice and human rights.

Mary Clare Machen
Maryclare Machen is manager of and practitioner in queerspace’s Q Respect program at Drummond Street Services. This program for queer people experiencing intimate partner or family violence. She has a background as a former CEO of a mainstream domestic violence service as well as in research in lesbian intimate partner violence.

Facilitator

Michele Robinson
Michele joined ANROWS in 2017 as the Director, Evidence to Action. Michele leads the translation and dissemination of research at ANROWS to support the take-up of evidence into policy and practice, to reduce violence against women and their children. This role builds on Michele’s 18 years of experience in leadership roles developing advice and strategies on research, knowledge partnerships and exchange in a diverse range of sectors, including the prevention of violence against women and their children.