Domestic violence survivors in the LGBTQI community often report feeling isolated and invisible in their experiences, with support services few and far between.
On Wednesday, buildings across Australia will be lit up in the colours of the rainbow to mark LGBTQI Domestic Violence Awareness Day as a reminder that violence does not discriminate based on sexuality or gender identity.
The national day aims to put a spotlight on abuse in LGBTQI relationships and to demand greater visibility, understanding, and support for victim-survivors.
More than 60 per cent of LGBTQI people report having experienced domestic or family violence, but many struggle to access the limited support services available to them.
An added barrier is seeking help from police and the justice system which historically have not been safe places for the community to access, No To Violence CEO Phillip Ripper said.
"There are significant barriers that come with reporting family violence and those are often exacerbated for the queer community," he told AAP.
"The justice system has not historically been a friend of the queer community and hasn't been part of achieving justice for them."
While services are available in cities, LGBTQI people living in regional and rural Australia can struggle to access support.
Ben Bjarnesen, founder of the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation, said he felt "invisible" when experiencing abuse in his relationship.
"I couldn't find a single service that would support me," he said.
"That's why I started this campaign, because too many LGBTQ+ people are being left behind."
The See Hear Believe campaign aims to provide practical tools for workplaces, communities and allies to recognise signs of violence in LGBTQI relationships and help connect people to safe, inclusive support.
"LGBTQI people can experience all the same methods of abuse as heterosexual people but there are some added ones," Mr Bjarnesen said.
"Controlling a person's expression of their gender, controlling their medications or what they wear and isolating them from their community are all signs of abuse."
The awareness day was an opportunity to have conversations with the LGBTQI people in your life, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia director Kai Noonan said.
"Where we see powerful change is when people in their lives ask them if everything is okay, and days like this are a reminder to check in with those loved ones," they said.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578
