domestic and family violence
Ben Bjarnesen among Qld’s Australian of the Year nominees
Former Queensland police officer and LGBTQIA+ domestic violence campaigner Ben Bjarnesen is a 2024 Australian of the Year Award nominee for Queensland. In July, Ben left the Queensland Police Service after 15 years. The high-profile, well-known gay police officer was regional coordinator of the QPS’ LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officer program. Ben worked on numerous initiatives to …
DocQ: How to talk to your GP about domestic violence
May 28th is LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day, a day to bring attention to the issue of domestic violence in queer relationships. DocQ is back to chat to us about healthy relationships and how to chat to your GP when you’re feeling unsafe. As a GP, it’s important for me to remind my patients that …
DV inquiry report calls for LGBTIQ+ reform in Queensland Police
A scathing report from the inquiry into Queensland Police Service’s handling of domestic and family violence has made recommendations to benefit LGBTIQ victim-survivors. The state government set up the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the QPS Responses to Domestic and Family Violence earlier this year. The inquiry received more than 400 submissions from victim-survivors around …
Wins for LGBTIQ health and HIV prevention in federal budget
Australia’s peak LGBTIQ+ health bodies have welcomed funding in the federal budget for LGBTIQ+ health services and renewing the fight against HIV transmission in Australia. Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the Albanese Government’s first budget in Canberra on Tuesday night. In it, the federal government has allocated $1.3m over two years to national consultations …
Light up the Night gala ball for DV Awareness
The LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation will hold the inaugural Light up the Night gala ball on May 27, 2022. The foundation promises a night of decadence and delightful entertainment. And it all takes place in one of Brisbane’s most beautiful and prestigious venues, the majestic Brisbane City Hall. The elegant, black-tie Light up the …
#SeenAndBelieved: LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day 2022
LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day highlights domestic, family and intimate partner violence and abuse in LGBTQ+ communities. The annual campaign increases visibility to help ensure there are no invisible victims in the future. Because everyone, no matter what their sexuality or gender identity, should feel #SeenAndBelieved. The LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation invites everyone to …
Federal Labor makes election pledge on LGBTIQ domestic violence
Federal Labor has pledged additional funding to support LGBTIQ+ people affected by domestic violence if elected to government. The party previously committed to funding 500 new community sector workers across the domestic and family violence sector if elected. On Thursday, Labor has confirmed 15 of those workers will work in LGBTIQ+ community organisations to help …
Storm chaser under police guard following boyfriend’s death
Gold Coast storm chaser Glen Tipler remains under police guard in hospital following the suspicious house fire that killed his former partner 21-year-old Adam Marriott. Thick smoke forced firefighters to wear breathing apparatus while attending the blaze at Tipler’s rented townhouse on Wednesday night. They later found Adam Marriott dead inside the residence. Afterwards, 38-year-old …
Rockhampton DV offender used drugs to cope with bullying
A Rockhampton man convicted of breaching a domestic violence order, and obstructing and assaulting police, blamed his actions on drug use that resulted from bullying at school. The 35-year-old man’s lawyer told Rockhampton Magistrates Court that he turned to marijuana at 14 as a coping mechanism after bullying for being gay. The defendant cannot be …
Gay Queensland cop Ben Bjarnesen opens up in powerful TEDx talk
Queensland police officer Ben Bjarnesen has shared his own experience of domestic violence in a powerful TEDx talk. The openly gay police officer is a domestic violence survivor. Earlier this year Bjarnesen spoke at TEDxUQ hosted by the University of Queensland. The popular lectures are held on thousands of different topics all over the world. …
