It can be difficult to see a friend being treated in ways that are harmful by their family, partner or people they care about. You might want to do something to help them straight away or feel stuck about what you can do to help.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if what’s happening at home or in your relationships is okay. Maybe the people in your house, your family, or the people you are dating act in ways that make you feel unsafe, scared or unable to be the person you are or want to be. When someone does things that hurt, bully or control another person, it is called abuse.

Statistically, queer people are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs in recreational settings than the general population. We’re also more likely to find ourselves in periods of problematic usage of these substances. Fortunately, over many decades the LGBTIQ community has also built complex systems of community care into our social networks, to make the partying we do as safe as possible. 

QTIPOC stands for Queer, Trans, or Intersex, Person of Colour. And that's exactly what this new resource explores: being a person of colour, as well as being queer.

Created by Drummond St, Minus18, and Invisible The Drum, OMG I'm QTIPOC dives into everything from coming out (or not coming out) to the beauty of community; from activism to love across cultures; from the QTIPOC acronym to queerness itself.

People with disabilities experience higher rates of violence, abuse and neglect then non-disabled people. In addition to issues relating to their LGBTIQ status, additional barriers exist for people with disabilities accessing family violence services. These circumstances sit alongside unique requirements to meet their needs.

As we prepare ourselves for physical distancing and self-isolation, we need to remember home is not always the safest place.

For some in our community – job losses and insecure housing can mean that we are forced back to other homes with family or friends which can be highly conflictual and for others unsafe.

Resources and Information

With Respect has several resources and fact sheets regarding Family and Intimate Partner Violence within the LGBTIQ+ communities, and their family or friends, who are affected by family violence. https://www.withrespect.org.au

Food and material aid during coronavirus
Victorians self-isolating due to coronavirus (COVID-19) with no access to food and essential supplies will receive emergency relief packages under a program introduced by the Victorian Government. For more information phone the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit https://dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Ask Izzy has a list of emergency type aid such as food supplies searchable by postcode. Organisations here will each have their own responses to COVID-19 that are being updated https://askizzy.org.au/food 


Interpreter services for non-English speakers
This service is available to any individual or organisation in Australia, enabling non-English speakers to independently access services and information over the phone. TIS National's immediate phone interpreting service (24 hrs, 7 days a week) 131 450

Safety Planning: Family Violence Safety planning during Covid-19 Coronavirus

• It is important to consider the safest way to seek information or assistance. Identify when and how it may be safest to phone or email a family violence service.
  
  
• If you are self-isolating and physical distancing it is important to consider if there are other friends and family who could stay with you during this time. Consider reaching out to these people now to plan. 
• Consider identifying and reaching out to a trusted friend, co-worker, or family member who could check in with you about your safety and support needs, if you need to self-isolate at home.
• Make a “go bag”
  This should include some clothes, ID, phone charger, medications, an extra set of keys, important items for children and bankcards (if you don’t have these then some cash).
  Be aware many places are not using cash due to the potential spread of coronavirus. Sometimes it is safe to keep this bag at home to take if you need to leave the house, or it may be safer to keep it at a trusted friend or family member’s home.
• Develop a relationship with neighbours
  It may be appropriate to ask neighbours to call police if they hear concerning noises. You may feel comfortable to ask them if you could go to their house if you feel unsafe at home.
• Develop a code word or phrase with two friends or family members
  Sometimes it is helpful to have different code words which relate to different requests (“I’m going to the shops” may mean call the police)
• Try to keep your mobile phone with you at all times. Have a back-up plan if you cannot get to your mobile.
• Plan where you will go if you need to leave (even if you don’t think you will need to).
• Include others in the plan so they can make arrangements and prepare themselves and their family.
• Consider how you will get there if you need to leave (car, taxi, walk)
• Keep car keys in an easily accessible location not known by the person using violence
• Consider alternatives if public transport and other methods of transport are not available
• Think about your exit route from the house and practice leaving safely if you can

Warning: points ahead may be triggering, keep reading if you are concerned for your immediate safety

• If the person’s behaviour is escalating and you can’t safely leave, try to keep your back towards an open space, not a corner 
• Try to avoid the kitchen, bathroom, garage, being near weapons or any place that has sharp or heavy items (we acknowledge we don’t always have control over where these incidents occur)
• If a person is using violence towards you, try to run away from any children as they may harm them as well
• Plan for occasions when you can’t leave your home
• Make a ‘safe room’. Consider which room in your home you can secure that has mobile reception. A safe room will allow you to wait in until the police or another person who can help arrives
• Identify safe areas of the house where there are no weapons and there are ways to escape. If arguments occur, try to move to those areas
• Plan with children and identify a safe place for them, such as a room with a lock or a neighbour’s house where they can go for help. Reassure them their job is to stay safe, not to protect you
• Plan with friends, family or trusted worker if they can look after your pets and how you can arrange their transport