More than 60 per cent of LGBTQI people say they have experienced domestic or family violence in a relationship - but due to low levels of reporting, victim-survivors remain largely invisible.
May 28 marks LGBTQI Domestic Violence Awareness Day, a reminder that violence does not discriminate based on sexuality or gender identity.
Shame, stigma and gender bias in assumptions about domestic violence stopped Luke McIlroy-Ranga from seeking help when he experienced a violent relationship.
Now chair of the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation, he wants people to understand there are many intersecting challenges for queer victim-survivors.
"For our communities there is often a fear of being outed to their families, friends and workplaces and this is often used by perpetrators as a weapon," Mr McIlroy-Ranga told AAP.
"For trans communities and HIV positive people, medication can also be weaponised, so it's important for dedicated LGBTQI domestic violence support services that understand the intersectionality of issues at play."
Domestic and family violence within the LGBTQI community was not a niche issue but a national crisis, foundation deputy chair Sue Webeck said.
"While awareness and support is growing, it cannot happen in a vacuum," she said.
"We must work hand-in-hand with our allies to continue to increase visibility, education and understanding, and for them to use their voices where ours may not be heard."
Support services for many LGBTQI victim-survivors remain inaccessible, uninformed or unsafe and options in regional and remote areas are even more limited.
Internalised homophobia and transphobia can also contribute as people feel no one will believe them if they disclose a violent relationship, Victoria's Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Ro Allen said.
"The family violence sector hasn't really been aware of LGBTQI needs, and services and policies can exclude people very easily," they said.
"It's really vital that we continue to collaborate and work together to address family violence from all angles ... and to check policies to make sure they are inclusive."
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