May 28th is LGBTTQIA+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day, which began in Australia in 2020. Shine is getting behind raising awareness in New Zealand because people in the Rainbow community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Takatāpui, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and other gender and sexual identities) are more likely to experience domestic violence and less likely to get safe and effective support and response. (The NZ Crime and Victims Survey 2018-2019 concluded gay, lesbian and bisexual adults are more than twice as likely as the general population to experience intimate partner violence.)
People who experience intimate partner violence are often judged, blamed, put in more danger, or treated unfairly. People in Rainbow communities are even more likely to get these kinds of negative responses that reinforce their entrapment.
REMEMBER – people of any gender and sexual identity can experience domestic violence. You can help — respond with EMPATHY and NO JUDGMENT, stay CONNECTED, offer SUPPORT, and NEVER give advice or tell them what to do.
For NZ information, research, and resources related to NZ Rainbow communities’ experiences of family violence:
https://nzfvc.org.nz/national-strategy-engagement/rainbow-communities