VAC welcomes Victorian Government funding for LGBTI-specific intimate partner and family violence services

The Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) welcomes the announcement from the
Victorian Government of $145,000 to support specialist services for LGBTI communities around
intimate partner and family violence. The funding was announced by Minister for Families and
Children Jenny Mikakos as part of a major boost to the state’s response in this area.
Since 2003, VAC has run a men’s responsibility program modelled on the longstanding No To
Violence Men’s Behaviour Change Program, aimed at same-sex attracted men. This program
has aimed to provide a legitimate treatment option for those men who use violence in their
relationships as well as for their partners, who very often try to cope in silence with the
devastating impacts of intimate partner violence upon their health, mental health and safety.
VAC CEO Simon Ruth applauded the government in funding these vital services for Victoria’s
LGBTI communities.
“VAC welcomes the acknowledgement from the state government around the need for
increased specialist services for the LGBTI communities experiencing intimate partner and
family violence,” Ruth said.
“Research demonstrates that our communities experience family violence at comparable rates
to mainstream populations. However, the resources haven’t been there to adequately offer
treatment services or community based support in response to one of the most critical social
problems impacting upon the health and wellbeing for LGBTI individuals and families. This
announcement will enable us to identify best practice, evidence-based treatment models and
establish more effective treatment for the LGBTI community.”
Wendy Brokenshire, Manager of VAC’s Counselling and AOD Services Program, said the
organisation would continue to work with other agencies to expand and develop these programs
and services.
“Prior to today’s announcement, VAC had been engaging with other agencies in the family
violence sector to explore partnerships for providing services to our communities,” Brokenshire
said.
“We see this current social policy environment as a groundbreaking and extremely positive
acknowledgment to our communities that they are no longer going to be marginalised in the
area of intimate and family violence.”