New family violence training helps staff better support and improve safety for LGBTIQA+ people

Our new Client Safety Framework training module helps to create safer, more equitable systems for LGBTIQA+ people, by giving lawyers and client facing staff the tools to respond inclusively and respectfully in a family violence context.

LGBTIQA+ people often face discrimination and distinct barriers when seeking help with family violence matters.

This module supports trauma informed and inclusive practice, by upskilling lawyers and client facing staff with specialist family violence skills for working with LGBTIQA+ clients.

Associate Director, Family Violence Projects and Innovation Sharika Jeyakumar says the training helps lawyers and client facing staff better understand LGBTIQA+ identities, experiences, and the unique dynamics of family violence in these communities.

‘It enables staff to better support LGBTIQA+ people, by providing safe referral pathways for LGBTIQA+ clients for family violence related matters,’ she said.

'We worked closely with lived experience experts to ensure the module includes unique experiences and needs of LGBTIQA+ people affected by or using family violence.

'We were also pleased to collaborate with subject matter experts from Queerspace and Drummond Street Services, as well as Q+ Law.’

Improving our service delivery

Family violence is present in most legally aided matters. It’s important for professionals working across family law, criminal law and civil justice matters to be able to recognise intersections with family violence and provide support.

Information and Referral Officer Bridget Hanson says she feels this training is setting a higher standard in our service delivery.

We know that when LGBTIQA+ people have had previous bad experiences with mainstream services, they are more likely to hide important information about themselves in the future, which can be detrimental to their legal matters,’ she said.

‘The module is really placing value on caring for our clients, to help them achieve better legal outcomes.’

Access Working with LGBTIQA+ people training

Victoria Legal Aid staff can access Working with LGBTIQA+ people on the Learning Hub.

Panel practitioners and community legal centre staff can access the training on Law Hub.

Lawyers may claim one CPD unit for each hour of training as set out in the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015.

Access Client Safety Framework training

Our Client Safety Framework training package helps lawyers and client facing staff recognise the nature and dynamics of family violence, identify the risks and respond appropriately.

The first four modules explore the foundations of family violence and suicide risk identification and response.

The next three specialist modules aim to address gaps in training around working with First Nations clients, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and now LGBTIQA+ people with family violence legal needs.

We suggest completing the modules gradually over several weeks or months.

Access the full Client Safety Framework training via the Learning Hub (VLA staff) or LawHub (panel practitioners and community legal centre staff).

More information about family violence

Learn more about our response to family violence.

My safety tool is also available to people experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence to plan for safety when ending a relationship.