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Family violence support for LGBTIQ+ communities

Help and support for you or someone you know who may be experiencing family violence and abuse. If someone is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000) and ask for police.

On this page

Recognising family violence

Family violence can happen to anyone. It can occur in many types of relationships, including intimate relationships or within families or households.

The signs of family violence are not always physical. The behaviour or actions of someone using family violence can be emotional, psychological, cultural, spiritual, financial, threatening, coercive, controlling or dominating.

In intimate LGBTIQ+ relationships, violence occurs at similar rates to the rest of the community, however rates appear to be significantly higher against trans and gender diverse and bisexual people.

People from LGBTIQ+ communities may be at greater risk of family violence from other family members, including parents, siblings and children, due to entrenched homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

Read more about recognising family violence and abuse on the With Respect website.

You should feel safe at home and in your relationships. If you don’t, you can connect with a trusted support service.

LGBTIQ+ family violence support services

Rainbow Door

A free specialist LGBTIQ+ helpline that supports individuals and families of all ages and identities with family violence, including intimate partner violence, elder abuse, sexual assault and relationship issues.

Drummond Street/Queerspace

Family violence counselling and support for any LGBTIQ+ person, their family or friends, who are affected by family violence.

Thorne Harbour Health

Family violence counselling and case management services to LGBTIQ+ communities and Family Violence Flexible Support Packages for those who are considering leaving or have recently left a violent relationship.

QLife

An after-hours, peer-to-peer support service run by volunteers in the LGBTIQ+ community. QLife is not a crisis support service. Peer supporters cannot provide counselling however they can provide referrals to LGBTIQ+ inclusive counselling services if needed. This service is run by Switchboard Victoria(opens in a new window).

Elizabeth Morgan House (EMH)

Refuge accommodation and specialist family violence services to Aboriginal women and their children. EMH welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, non-binary, sistergirls, brotherboys, intersex and two spirit queer folk who identify as women or feel comfortable accessing a women’s service.

Sexual Assault Crisis Line

Crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.

After hours crisis support

Safe Steps

Family violence response centre for women (and women identifying) victims of family violence including crisis support, information and accommodation.

Victims of Crime

Information and support for any victims of family and sexual violence and victims of violent crime.

Health & social support

Updated 3 June 2021

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