Media Release - Tasmania leads Australia with innovative guidelines to inform doctors on LGBTIQA+ family violence response
MEDIA RELEASE
27 August 2025
TASMANIA LEADS AUSTRALIA WITH INNOVATIVE GUIDELINES TO INFORM DOCTORS ON LGBTIQA+ FAMILY VIOLENCE RESPONSE
As we approach ‘Wear Purple Day’ on 29 August, two projects delivered by Engender Equality are merging in Tasmania to address LGBTIQA+ issues of intimate partner violence (IPV).
Engender Equality recently lead Australia in delivering guidelines to fill the gap where there were no dedicated family violence services or tailored resources specifically for LGBTIQA+ people in Tasmania.
Now the guidelines, distributed Australia-wide, will be offered to general practices, to guide inclusive and affirmative practice. This is being delivered through the recently launched Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence project which is offering support and resources to build capacity among 140 general practices in Tasmania.
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“General practices are the frontline and perfect point for early intervention for anyone who is subject to intimate partner violence.
“Sadly, many LGBTIQA+ people try to navigate services without knowing whether providers had the skills or understanding to meet their needs. All too often they chose not to access services at all.
“By addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTIQA+ individuals, we can work towards reducing the prevalence of IPV and improve outcomes for survivors.
“Apart from societal stigma discouraging folks from seeking help, there is fear of discrimination by law enforcement and support services, and insufficient laws protecting LGBTQA+ individuals from violence and discrimination, making it difficult for survivors to find legal recourse,” Ms Thomas said.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects LGBTIQA+ individuals at rates comparable to or higher than those in heterosexual relationships, with unique challenges and barriers to seeking help.
Research indicates that the lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence among LGBTIQA+ individuals is significant. For instance, studies show that bisexual women experience IPV at rates of 69%, while gay men and bisexual men also face high rates of IPV, with 47% and 46%, respectively. These figures are often comparable to or exceed those of heterosexual individuals.
This Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence is supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program. Engender Equality is a not-for-profit agency leading the program in partnership with Laurel House and Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS).
More information including how General Practices and Aboriginal Health Services can connect with the service is available at 03 6268 1663, admin@pcfsv.org.au or www.engenderequality.org.au/pcfsv.
Ends.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
LGBTIQA+ Family Violence Guidelines - Project Report
This report reflects the successful completion of a unique project aimed at strengthening Tasmania’s response to family and sexual violence experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, people with innate variations of sex characteristics (intersex), queer, asexual and other gender and sexually diverse (LGBTIQA+) people.
Next steps when someone shares they are experiencing domestic violence
By Kellie Scott
Posted to ABC News, 21/08/25 – 1:43pm
When someone says they are experiencing domestic violence, you might feel unsure about how best to support them.
Whether it’s a family member, friend or colleague, it’s helpful to understand how difficult disclosing experiences of domestic violence can be, as well as how to respond in the moment, and the best way to provide ongoing support.
Brain Injury Awareness Week - Engender Equality Update - August 2025
As we approach Brain Injury Awareness Week from 18 August 2025, it is critical that we talk about brain injuries inflicted through family violence.
Media Release - Brain Injury Awareness Week - Brain Injury Common in Victim-Survivors of Domestic Violence
MEDIA RELEASE
13 August 2025
BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS WEEK
BRAIN INJURY COMMON IN VICTIM-SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
As we approach Brain Injury Awareness Week from 18 August, it’s critical to raise awareness on this less talked about cohort suffering brain injuries, usually inflicted by a loved one.
Brain Injury (BI) among survivors of family violence is common and requires urgent attention and care. BI results from injuries inflicted to the head and neck and can lead to chronic symptoms and high morbidity.[1]
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said,
“Assault by choking and non-fatal strangulation, shaking, being pushed into a wall or to the ground where they bang their head, are common causes.
“Our Primary Care Family and Domestic Violence program is focused on improving screening mechanisms for GPs to assist with their forensic medical examination, giving faster turnaround to care and adequate documentation to deliver justice for the victim,” she said.
In recent years, awareness of brain injury in sport, public assaults, and workplace accidents has grown. Campaigns have focused on recognising concussion, preventing harm, and supporting recovery.
However, brain injury has been overlooked when it happens through family or sexual violence. Engender Equality is advocating that brain injuries resulting from family violence need urgent attention; to support victim-survivors’ health and to improve justice outcomes.
Dr Christine Padgett, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania is collaborating with Engender Equality as she researches brain injury caused by intimate partner violence. One of her current projects explores the nature of long-term recovery after brain injury caused by intimate partner violence.
“Brain injuries are often sustained over years and can lead to lasting physical, behavioural, psychological, and cognitive consequences for victim-survivors.
Victim-survivors may not even realise the types of injuries they are sustaining – things like choking for example, can lead to brain injuries. This means they might put symptoms down to stress or not consider them severe enough to warrant attention, when they should be seeking medical advice” Dr Padgett said.
Symptoms like confusion, headache, memory gaps, dizziness, or vision changes, may be an indication of brain injury and victim-survivors should immediately tell their GP or emergency staff exactly how the injury happened.
General Practitioners are encouraged to routinely ask about head trauma and strangulation when working with victim-survivors, record clear details of the injury, order appropriate assessments, refer to brain injury specialists where needed, adapt care for any cognitive impacts, and ensure safety by linking patients with family and sexual violence support services.
Recognising and responding early can prevent further harm, improve recovery, and strengthen a victim-survivor’s access to justice.
Engender Equality is a not-for-profit agency working with and on behalf of individuals, families and communities affected by family and domestic violence in Tasmania.
More information including how General Practices and Aboriginal Health Services can connect with the service is available at 03 6268 1663, admin@pcfsv.org.au or www.engenderequality.org.au/pcfsv.
This Primary Care Family and Sexual Violence support initiative is supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.
[1] Zieman, G., Bridwell, A. & Cardenas, J. F. (2017). Traumatic Brain Injury in Domestic Violence Victims: A Retrospective Study at the Barrow Neurological Institute. Journal of neurotrauma, 34(4), 876-880.
Ends.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291
New Specialist Service Supports Primary Care Response to Family and Sexual Violence in Tasmania
A new pilot initiative is underway in Tasmania to improve how General Practices and Aboriginal Health Services respond to family violence, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse. The service is being delivered by Engender Equality (family violence service) in partnership with Laurel House (sexual assault service – North and North West) and the Sexual Assault Support Service (sexual assault service – South). This program is supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.
What helped Lili after surviving domestic violence in childhood
By Kellie Scott
Posted to ABC News, 29/07/25 – 3:08pm (Updated 06/08/25 – 8:49am)
The program coordinator for Engender Equality’s Advocates for Change says advocacy is a chance for victim-survivors to rebuild community and reclaim their voice.
“When you step into advocacy spaces, you get to experience allyship … you get to celebrate strength and resilience.”
Coercive Control: Abuse in Hiding
Coercive control is insidious. It is strategic. It is abuse in hiding.
He: didn’t look for someone to love; he looked for someone to control.
She: Easy going, friendly, positive person = gullible to manipulation.
The invisible epidemic of brain injuries among domestic violence survivors
By Stephanie Wood
Posted to PRIMER, 2023
Domestic violence is frighteningly common. Now experts are worried that many women who sustain head trauma suffer from undiagnosed brain injuries.
Submission on the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2022, February 2022
Engender Equality stands with the Tasmanian specialist family violence sector in support of the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2022 (the Bill).
We welcome with particular enthusiasm the introduction of strangulation as a stand-alone criminal offence in Tasmania. This new offence allows the Tasmanian criminal-justice system to prosecute acts of strangulation, choking and suffocation in a manner that is commensurate with the severe physical and psychological harm they effect. We acknowledge with gratitude the tireless work of family violence survivor and Engender Equality Advocate Deborah Thomson in campaigning for this meaningful legislative reform.