On 1 May 2017, the LGBTI Taskforce’s Justice Working Group held its tenth meeting. The list of members, terms of reference and previous communiqués are available.
Specific matters considered
Attendance by Victoria Police
Senior representatives of Victoria Police attended the Justice Working Group meeting, which provided members of the Working Group with an opportunity to discuss some of the key issues facing members of Victoria’s LGBTI communities, and to hear about initiatives and policies being developed by Victoria Police that are more inclusive of Victoria’s LGBTI communities.
Issues discussed with Victoria Police included: how Victoria Police collects information about a person’s sex/gender; how a person’s sex/gender is recorded in the Victoria Police database (LEAP); and what Victoria Police’s policy and practice is in relation to searching and placing in custody a person who is trans, gender diverse or intersex.
Working Group members also discussed the importance of providing training and education to members of Victoria Police which promote more inclusive and contemporary policing practices in relation to LGBTI communities. The importance of oversight of policy and practice, particularly where policing duties have been contracted out to private organisations was also discussed.
The discussions with Victoria Police representatives were very productive and Working Group members offered their assistance to Victoria Police to develop and/or implement any initiatives or policies that are inclusive of LGBTI communities.
Report on the LGBTI Equality Roadshow
Working Group members received a briefing on the LGBTI Equality Roadshow, which is making its way around rural and regional Victoria between March and June 2017. Led by the Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality, Rowena Allen, the roadshow aims to reduce discrimination against LGBTI people, and promote their inclusion in everyday rural and regional life.
The roadshow uses a co-design framework to tailor its activities to each location, featuring practical education and information, community dinners, performances and a session developing an LGBTI Inclusion Plan that will form the basis of future work locally.
Recurring themes emerging from the roadshow include a lack of local LGBTI visibility in rural and regional Victoria; and a need for safe local spaces and stable employment for LGBTI community members. A full report on the roadshow will be available at the end of July 2017.
Working Group members also noted the report from the LGBTI Community Forum, held on 4 February 2017, which was tabled at the meeting.
Consultation on Royal Commission into Family Violence recommendations
The Working Group provided feedback on recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence that affect LGBTI people and their families.
Next meeting
The Justice Working Group will reconvene for its next meeting on 19 June 2017.
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