The Queensland Police Service (QPS) was at work with DVConnect and the Queensland Council for LGBTI+ Health to support the inaugural LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day last Thursday (28 May).
Senior Constable Ben Bjarnesen (pictured) said the Day raised awareness of domestic violence experienced within LGBTI relationships and improved the levels of reporting to authorities and support services.
“It’s so important that people from LGBTI communities know that help is available for them; that they don’t have to live with abuse,” Senior Constable Bjarnesen said.
“Everyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, deserves to live a life free from violence and abuse.”
He said the QPS was dedicated to supporting members of LGBTI+ communities, and LGBTI+ Police Liaison Officers provided specialised assistance to members of the communities to make sure they received support that met their specific needs while working with police.
He said the police worked with LGBTI+ communities by raising awareness, remembering the victims who had lost their lives and supporting those in abusive relationships and those who survived.
“We asked the communities to show their support with personal messages of hope by spreading the words #ImHereForYou,” Senior Constable Bjarnesen said.
He said recent studies had shown that up to 62 per cent of LGBTIQ+ people had experienced domestic violence, yet awareness of the issue and reporting rates were still very low with only 5.3 per cent being reported to police.
