Primary Care Pathways to Safety: Recognising and Responding to Family Violence in LGBTIQA+ Populations

Join NWMPHN and the University of Melbourne in this session which will upskill primary care staff in recognising and responding to LGBTQIA+ people impacted by domestic and family violence.

Emerging evidence suggests that LGBTQA+ experience domestic and family violence at higher rates than the general population. LGBTQIA+ people with other marginalised identities, such as having a disability or being from a diverse cultural background are at even higher risk. Young LGBTQIA+ people are at a uniquely high risk. Domestic and family violence is an important driver of homelessness in the young LGBTQIA+ population.

Despite these elevated rates of violence, LGBTQIA+ people are much less likely to seek support in relation to their experiences. This gap in access to care is driven in part by anticipated and actual experiences of discrimination when attending health care services. 

Importantly, the limited data available about LGBTQIA+ family violence indicates that victim-survivors who report a positive relationship with their GP are more likely to have been linked with appropriate specific supports. 

GPs have the potential to facilitate safe and timely care for LGBTQIA+ victim-survivors if they are equipped with the knowledge and skills. 

This workshop will educate GPs of drivers of domestic and family violence in LGBTIQA+ groups, provide guidance on how to overcome barriers in identification of violence for these groups, and describe a framework for responding effectively in general practice. 

Speakers

Associate Professor Jennifer Neil is a clinician, educator and researcher in primary care and family violence. She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2003 and achieved her Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She is the Curriculum and Assessment Lead for General Practice at Monash University and has led the development of a trauma-informed medical education approach.

Jennifer has trained hundreds of health professionals across Australia in family violence, authored multiple curricula and has co-authored two chapters and a supplementary chapter in the Royal Australian College of General Practice ‘White Book’ Guideline on abuse and violence. She has also contributed to the RACGP ‘Red Book’ guideline on preventive health. She is the deputy chair of the RACGP specific interest group on abuse and violence in families and the secretary for WONCA (World Family Doctor Organisation) Special Interest Group on Family Violence Steering Committee. 

She is currently undertaking a PhD and her topic explores GPs who have been survivors of family violence and their experience.

Shei U. (they/she) is a specialist practitioner and TGD health trainer with extensive experience in the DFSV sector and LGBTQIA+SB intersectional advocacy. Their expertise spans family violence crisis case management and addressing the specific needs of historically excluded individuals and diverse communities. Their approach is rooted in intersectional feminist, client-centred, social justice and capacity-building principles. Shei currently works as part of the leadership team at Rainbow Door, a free statewide specialist LGBTQIA+ helpline and case management service run by Switchboard Victoria. Rainbow Door provides information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends, family and professionals supporting them. Switchboard Victoria is a community based not- for- profit organisation that provides a peer- driven, support service for the LGBTQIA+ communities, their allies, friends, support workers and families. Switchboard programs offer peer-to-peer support in areas including gender and sexuality, diverse relationships, suicide prevention, family violence support, anti-racism advocacy, and social inclusion for older LGBTQIA+ community.

Martina Eaton (she/her) is a proud lesbian and mother to one wonderful adult son. She is a community development worker and a passionate advocate for social justice.

Martina has lived experience of family violence in her previous lesbian relationships. She began her journey of advocacy through Speaking Out with Women's Health East and then joined the Victim Survivors Advisory Council (VSAC) for the Victorian Government while also advocating as a "WEAVER" through the Safer Families Centre at Melbourne University. She now also works for Safe and Equal on its Lived Experience Advocacy Program. 

“I do all of this advocacy work as I want to prevent as many people as possible from going through what I experienced and ensuring that the voices of my LGBTQIA+ community are heard and seen when it comes to recognising family violence and responding in an inclusive manner,” she explains.

Learning outcomes:

1. Explain the prevalence, risk factors and specific drivers of family violence for LGBTIQA+ people. 
2. Identify and overcome barriers to identification of domestic and family violence among LGBTIQA+ people.
3. Apply the socio-ecological framework to develop management approaches for LGBTIQA+ domestic ad family violence in primary care.