Challenging Heteronormativity in Family Domestic and Sexual Violence Policy

A half-day forum bringing together leading researchers, practitioners and policy experts in queer family, domestic and sexual violence.

Family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV) policy in Australia and internationally has been shaped through heteronormative and cisgendered frameworks. While current frameworks have been influential in advancing recognition of violence as a gendered issue, they also impose narrow assumptions about gender, sexuality, relationships, and the family. These assumptions marginalise LGBTQ+ communities and constrain how violence is understood, identified, and responded to across all communities.

This event brings together leading researchers, practitioners, and policy experts to critically examine how heteronormativity operates within FDSV policy and practice, and to explore more expansive understandings of FDSV. Drawing on research, community knowledge, and practice experience, speakers will reflect on how heteronormative assumptions shape current policy responses to violence, how these can be re-imagined, and how current programs are going beyond these assumptions.

The program will feature speakers from Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) including Rainbow Health Australia (RHA), Zoe Belle Gender Collective (ZBGC), La Trobe’s Reducing Gender-Based Violence Research Group (ReGEN).

We will also have a keynote address from Catherine Donovan, Professor in Sociology at Durham University in the United Kingdom, and co-author of Queering Narratives of Domestic Violence and Abuse.
This event will be of interest to researchers, policymakers, service providers, advocates, and anyone who is interested in challenging heteronormative FDSV frameworks.

• Getting there: For travel options, check out Location and transport options, City Campus. When entering the building, you will be required to nominate a lift for access to Level 2. Please look for the touch panels at the elevator banks, nominate Level 2 and following directions to the alphabet lettered elevator to take you to level 2. There will be Event signage in the foyer directing you to where to go.
• Accessibility: We will aim to ensure this event is accessible for all participants, and adequate breaks will be scheduled throughout the day. Please specify your needs upon registration.
• Catering: there will be a small afternoon tea provided. We will provide Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten & Nut free and low FODMAP options. Please advise us of any dietary requirements upon registration. Please note due to catering cut off times, any tickets with dietary requirements received after March 13th will not be included in the catering requirements.
• Photography: There will be a photographer in attendance, as well as some of our staff roaming around taking short videos for social media. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let a staff member know on the night.
• Covid Safety: We will have hand sanitiser available at the entrance, and if you're feeling unwell, we’d love to see you another time instead.

This event is a discrimination-free zone. No homophobia, transphobia, biphobia or discrimination against intersex people will be tolerated.

You can contact either Hanorah Arundell or Elle Boivin via arcshs@latrobe.edu.au.