Launch of the Strategic Framework; Working Together

It is my pleasure to be co-launching the Strategic Framework; Working Together: Preventing violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people today.

I would firstly like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we gather today, the Gadigal people of Eora Nation. I would also like to thank Rob for his welcome to country.

Violence against gay men, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people is a problem that happens all too frequently on our streets and unfortunately in our schools, our workplaces and within the community.

It has been estimated that gay men and lesbians face violence rates 4 -6 times higher than the general population. For transgender people the rates are higher.

Be it verbal abuse as a couple walks down the street holding hands or physical violence because of how a young man has his haircut.

Behind every event there is a victim who is changed and a group of people who are wary and sometimes fearful within their own communities

The issue of homophobic violence, abuse and harassment is one that the NSW Government cannot and will not tolerate. 

As the Minister for Police indicated, the NSW State Plan has a focus on reducing rates of crime, particularly violent crime. 

The Strategic Framework we launch today is an important step towards developing a safer community for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in NSW.

There needs to be adequate support for victims of violence.

We need to provide effective services that meet the needs and understand the unique situation of the GLBT communities.

We need to work together to prevent violence through early education and awareness programs. 

This goal is a whole of community responsibility and whole of government responsibility.

There is not one individual agency or department that can be solely responsible for reducing the incidence of hate related violence...

The Strategic Framework outlines the NSW Government's commitment and approach to tackling homophobic violence.

It provides a whole of government response to enable a range of anti-violence measures to be implemented.

It also promotes strong collaboration and partnership with the community and key non-government organisations. 

The framework recognises that the removal of discrimination under the law sets a clear example that all community members are equal before the law.

The Framework identifies five priority areas that will guide the direction that government agencies take to achieve the goals of the Framework

These include:

• Focussing on key sites of violence, particularly educational and workplace settings;
• Reforming service delivery to provide better customer services as well as protection to those seeking help
• Developing, implementing and evaluating intervention strategies to prevent prejudice related violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people;
• Improving support for victims of homophobic violence; and
• Encouraging more research into the experience of homophobic violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the work that many of you are already doing to implement strategies that will help make our communities safer.

I would like to especially acknowledge the work of ACON, the AVP, the City of Sydney, street angels and other volunteers who have set up the safespace on Oxford St and the work of my colleague David Campbell in his recent focus on finding some solutions to what is occurring on Oxford St.

Without the strong commitment shown by many members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, this Framework would not have been possible.

I would also like to acknowledge the public servants from various agencies who have also contributed to the development f the framework.

The launch of the Strategic Framework is just a beginning.

The framework will help to consolidate existing relationships between gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities and the NSW Government agencies that serve them.

It will also develop new relationships. 

It will enable the Government to be more strategic and targeted in its efforts to reduce violence and harassment within our communities and to provide better support when these incidents do happen. 

But most importantly it will contribute toward making NSW a safer, more harmonious place for all people, regardless of their sexuality or gender.

Less violence and less fear are something that we all look forward to.

Thank you.