LGBTIQ women included in report to UN Special Rapporteur on Violence

Following the April study tour of the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, a report has been produced by the Australian Human Rights Commission which explicitly recognises women of diverse sex, sexuality and gender.

The report states:

• One in three women of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender experience domestic and family violence, a similar rate to women in the wider population. Further research is required to ascertain the prevalence and nature of violence experienced within this group.

• Anecdotally, it is known that these populations are significantly less likely to report, seek support or identify experiences of domestic violence or other types of violence and abuse.

• Women of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender have specific needs in relation to domestic/family violence support. Yet, there are significant gaps in service provision for these women who are victims/survivors of violence, leaving many women without support.

>there is a lack of culturally appropriate service providers.

>In NSW, it was reported that women of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender have experienced homophobia and transphobia from mainstream service providers;

>access to services can be restricted when both the victim and perpetrator are trying to access the same service and the services are consequently ‘conflicted out’;

>particular challenges are faced in accessing services in rural areas because services are even more limited in rural areas and some women may not be out to their local community; and

>there is no 24/7 specialist domestic/family violence phone support service operating anywhere in Australia for women of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender.

• The gendered model of domestic and family violence translates to an invisibility of victims/survivors and
perpetrators of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender. At federal, state and territory levels, domestic and family violence among women of diverse sex, sexuality and/or gender needs to be explicitly recognised, included and prioritised as a vulnerable non-homogenous group with varying needs.

The full report can be downloaded from the Human Rights Commission website.

http://www.humanrights.gov.au/sex_discrimination/publication/UNSRVAW%20report%202012/index.html