Your Right to Report Violence

21 Mar 2023
Our LGBTIQ+ communities have a very fraught history with police – having been criminalised, subject to extrajudicial violence by officers, and suffered institutionalised prejudice and discrimination within law enforcement. Recent events show that our communities still consistently face hateful vilification from parts of society, and that police responses still often leave much to be desired.
Below are links to several resources to make a complaint about police misconduct or report violence or vilification against our communities:
- Victoria Police - Complaints (police.vic.gov.au).
- IBAC What is police misconduct | IBAC.
- Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission - Web Form Submission (humanrights.vic.gov.au) – assists people to resolve complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, racial and religious vilification, and victimisation.
- Police Accountability Project – provides strategic litigation, evidence-based research, community support and policy and law reform to hold police who abuse to account.
- Melbourne Activist Legal Support (MALS) – is an independent group of lawyers and advocates that monitors protest events and reports on public order policing.
LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officers (LLOs)
Previously known as GLLOs, LLOs are Victoria Police employees who have volunteered to provide support to LGBTIQ+ community members in addition to their day-to-day duties. Victoria Police has over 450 LLOs.
If you need to engage Victoria Police, but are concerned about homophobia, biphobia or transphobia, or a lack of understanding or sensitivity to your situation, you can request to speak to a LLO, by:
- Calling the Police Assistance Line on 131 444
- Emailing LLO-Coordinator-MGR@police.vic.gov.au
- Calling your local station directly and asking how to get in contact with their LLO
You can find out more information on LLOs at: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/LGBTIQ-liaison-officers
In other news
16 Jul 2025
Silver Rainbow Training Expands to Better Support LGBTIQ+ Elders
Since Thorne Harbour Health began delivering Silver Rainbow Training (SRT) sessions in late April 2025, we’ve keenly worked to support Aged Care professionals in understanding the unique challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ elders.Participants have left our sessions with their eyes open to issues and situations that hadn’t previously occurred to them and enjoy having their perspectives challenged so they are more sensitive to the needs of LGBTIQ+ elders. Feedback following Silver Rainbow Training suggests that staff feel more able to deliver holistic care to their clients.In the past two months, we’ve conducted one online and six face-to-face SRT sessions, some of which included HIV 101 education components delivered by our HIV peer navigator. A Community of Practice session was also held in May, providing an opportunity for professional networking and sharing of experiences.SRT has reached 120 staff members across six organisations, including an Emergency Department, an Aged Care facility, a health network organisation, and three mental health organisations. The training has been delivered to five metro and one regional organisation, with our primary focus on Health Justice, aiming to create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for all.
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