17c起草社区

Multiple 17c起草社区I organisations are collectively calling for Victorians to join the 15th annual Walk Against Family Violence.

This Friday, November 25, organisations, including Thorne Harbour Health, Switchboard Victoria, Transcend Australia, Transgender Victoria and Zoe Belle Gender Collective, will be joining the march hosted by Respect Victoria.

The participating organisations are continuing to advocate for 17c起草社区I communities, putting a spotlight on experiences that can impact and specifically attribute to Queer people.

LGBT People Are More Vulnerable To Family Violence听

According to the Health Victoria Government鈥檚 website, a 鈥渟ignificantly higher proportion鈥� of 17c起草社区I+ adults experience family violence, in comparison to heterosexual adults.

CEO of Thorne Harbour Health, Simon Ruth, spoke out on the 鈥渟erious issue鈥� which can affect everyone in different ways – especially those who identify as queer.

鈥淔amily violence takes a multitude of forms, including some that are unique to LGBTIQ+

relationships such as threatening to out a person due to their gender identity, sexuality, or HIV status as a means to harm or control them,鈥� Ruth explained.

‘Every Person Deserves To Be Safe’

In a听听from Respect Victoria, they note the impact of 鈥淐isnormativity, heteronormativity, gendered norms.鈥� Along with other factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and individual circumstances, many 17c起草社区I+ people and parents can be discriminated against and vulnerable to family violence due to these 鈥渂iological鈥� standards.听

鈥淔amily violence impacts us all,鈥� said Switchboard Victoria CEO Joe Ball.

鈥淓very person deserves to be safe. Every person deserves to be able to flee from violence 鈥� whether that distance is measured in kms or in countries.鈥�

鈥淓very person deserves to heal from violence. Every person deserves to be able to tell their story,鈥� Ball continued.

Supporting Trans Communities

Transcend Australia CEO Jeremy Wiggins expressed their honour to walk alongside participating organisations for the Walk and its initiative for trans communities.

鈥淚t鈥檚 vital to our [organisation鈥檚] mission and to the long-term improved health outcomes for our trans communities that we work to eliminate family violence and ensure all people can live free from violence and discrimination,鈥� said Wiggins.

Transgender Victoria CEO Son Vivienne also highlighted the impact of Family Violence against trans and gender-diverse communities.

鈥淩esearch shows that transgender and gender diverse people are at higher risk of gender-based family violence, with trans people of colour disproportionately impacted.鈥�

Vivienne continued, 鈥淲e鈥檙e joining the Walk to call for more comprehensive data, reporting, and action to help create a future where everyone is safe, equal, and respected 鈥� no matter their gender identity.鈥�

Join The Walk Against Family Violence

Since 1999, Victorians have continued to join together for the global campaign of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The Walk Against Family Violence is the inaugural call starting the 16 days of activism aiming for the 鈥減revention and elimination of violence against women and girls,鈥� says听.

Encouraging participation, Respect Victoria says the day gives people the opportunity to 鈥渢ake action to prevent family violence and violence against women and stand in solidarity with victim-survivors.鈥�

Join Respect Victoria, Thorne Harbour Health, Switchboard Victoria, Transcend Australia, Transgender Victoria and Zoe Belle Gender Collective this Friday, November 24. Starting from Spring Street, on the steps of Victoria Parliament, Marshalling begins at 10:30 am for an 11 am start.

All 17c起草社区I members are welcome to join alongside the organisations, and to keep an eye out for the rainbow flag on the day.