Working to end male family violence

with a Rainbow Tick

Gay, bi, trans and queer men need access to intimate partner and/or family violence support services –both as the victim-survivors and as the men who use violence.

However, GBTQ men have different experiences, needs and concerns than cisgender/ heterosexual men, and therefore need to be supported in different ways.

For 30 years, No to Violence has worked directly with men who use family violence or are at risk of using violence.

No to Violence also operates the Men’s Referral Service, a national hotline that offers counselling, referrals, advice and support to men who can be described as having anger, relationship or parenting issues.

No to Violence values equity, diversity and inclusion and people of all backgrounds. It also values diversity of gender identity, sexual orientation and intersex status.

And recently we undertook an 11-month intensive process of cultural change to achieve Rainbow Tick accreditation.

Rainbow Health Victoria created Rainbow Tick as a quality framework to help organisations show that they are safe, inclusive and affirming, in both services and as employers for the LGBTIQA+ community.

The Rainbow Tick framework is designed to “support organisations to improve the quality of care and services they provide to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer service users, staff and volunteers”.

For No to Violence, Rainbow Tick accreditation means the organisation ensures LGBTIQA+ inclusion for No to Violence staff and consumers.

But it also means that members of the LGBTIQA+ community can access No to Violence services knowing that it is culturally safe and inclusive, and that No to Violence can refer them to LGBTIQA+ specific services to meet their needs.

The journey is not over, as quality improvement means continuous and ongoing feedback from consumers, staff and the broader LGBTIQA+ community.

If you are concerned about your behaviour, or about someone using violence, call Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit mrs. org.au for advice and support.

Jacqui Watt is No to Violence Chief Executive Officer

By Niamh Schofield