Capacity Building for Services and Organisations Working with LGBTIQ+ People

The Royal Commission into Family Violence identified a need for services to build their capacity to respond to the needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. Undercurrent delivers tailored workshop programs to organisations seeking to gain a better understanding of LGBTIQ+ family and relationship violence, its causes and impacts. We offer specialised workshops to increase LGBTIQ+ inclusion in your organisation, school or other institution, or workshops for LGBTIQ+ participants with a focus on prevention of family and intimate partner violence and sexual assault. 

This program is designed for practitioners working in family violence, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, housing and homelessness services and other community organisations seeking to gain greater understanding of family and intimate partner violence in LGBTIQ+ relationships.

We believe that any educative work around violence prevention needs to involve an analysis of our own values, and challenge the attitudes and myths that enable and perpetuate a culture of family violence and sexual assault. All of our workshops involve open discussion, participant reflexivity and the exploration of participants’ thoughts and beliefs.

Topics we can cover include:

  • Frameworks for understanding violence within LGBTIQ+ relationships and against LGBTIQ+ people/communities: expanding on an intersectional feminist approach, unpacking queer theory, and exploring how we might enact hierarchy and entitlement

  • What is heterosexism? Discussion of terms and concepts relevant to LGBTIQ+ FV/IPV

  • Exploring homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, misogyny, heterosexism and the intersections of these and FV/IPV

  • Myths contributing to violence, and myths and stereotypes impacting LGBTIQ+ people

  • Supporting LGBTIQ+ peoples who have experienced violence, and structural barriers for accessing support

  • Recognising and responding to LGBTIQ+ people who have caused harm including accountability and behaviour change strategies

  • Resources & support services for LGBTIQ+ peoples

Feedback we have received about our LGBTIQ+ Professional Development program:

  • ‘The systemic frameworks of family violence is radical and invaluable”

  • “Abuse of power in context of queer relationships. Thought of things I had never thought of before. Now know how to better support survivors of violence”

  • “It is always useful to chew over, reflect on issues for LGBTIQ community with family violence. Thanx for resources”

  • “The four pillars and theoretical frameworks – really good at contextualising”

  • “Discussion about the impact of FV in LGBTIQ+ diverse communities and the similarities of power and control”

  • “Today was really useful in terms of how to respond to LGBTIQ people as a service”

  • “It helped to broaden the understanding and the barriers that are faced”

  • “Group discussions, information on services and resources and language”

  • “The best part of the day was encouraging us to think about our own ignorance and bias”

  • “The discussions and the case study to explore barriers and services”

  • “I was helped to think beyond the usual framework of heterosexual practice”

  • “Really clear, informative exercises that provided clarity. Everything amazing.”

  • “Until now I haven’t had the opportunity to discuss this topic deeply”

  • “It gave me a greater understanding of family violence”

  • “Incredibly informative, facilitation was sensitive, safe, and open. I found it very empowering.”

  • “I learnt new concepts around FV and new ways to interact with clients”

  • “Great progression from conceptual to practical. Really comprehensive and thoughtful approach”


Cost:

Our workshops are charged on a sliding scale depending on the available resources of your group/organisation. Contact us for information on our current rates. If your group/organisation does not have access to funding, please contact us as we may be able to accommodate your request.