Understanding same-sex domestic violence
It’s been six years since the first NSW survey into same-sex domestic violence was run at Mardi Gras’ Fair Day. Called Fair’s Fair, the survey gave the local community a snap shot of what domestic violence looked like for gay and lesbian couples.
Throughout 2011, the newly re-named NSW Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer (LGBTIQ) Domestic Violence Interagency has been working at developing the second NSW survey into domestic and family violence to gain a better picture of people’s experiences of, and attitudes towards, LGBTIQ partner abuse today.
Importantly, the survey is inclusive of people of diverse sex and gender with specific questions for transgender and intersex people who are experiencing domestic violence.
The final survey was approved by ACON’s Ethics Committee and yesterday, this new and important online survey went live.
The survey is anonymous but participants can choose to enter the draw for a $100 voucher if they leave an email address.
The information gathered from the survey will help support services better understand and respond to the needs of people of diverse sex, sexuality and gender in NSW including those people living in regional, rural and remote areas of the state who are experiencing abuse in their relationships.
It will also provide important information to service providers about the prevalence and trends of abuse in LGBTIQ relationships, give a better understanding of how they can improve support services for our communities and how to educate mainstream services to respond more appropriately to LGBTIQ people experiencing abuse.
The survey can be found on the ACON website: www.acon.org.au, or the Another Closet website: www.anothercloset.com.au
