Pride Project

Inspired by the innovative models and strategies used in Canada & USA for working with LGBTQIA+ survivors of sexual assault and family violence, Belinda will tour leading agencies in 2023 to gain insights into best practice responses.

Belinda’s desire to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ survivors led her to investigate how other places were doing this work. After learning about a variety of organisations in Canada and the US with extensive histories of advocacy, program development, system change and capability building, she became dedicated to learning more about how to support this type of work in Australia.

This research trip is self-initiated and mostly self-funded, with the aim of gathering insightful information about how agencies have approached and evolved over time to provide specialist service responses to LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The schedule includes visits to:

• trans and gender diverse advocacy & capability building organisations

• queer specialist helplines

• trauma recovery teams at Hospitals

• homelessness & family violence (queer-specific) services

• sexual assault & family violence networks with strong LGBTQIA+ focused practice & programs

• attendance at USA National Sexual Assault Conference in San Francisco to conclude the tour

Belinda aims to use the knowledge and resources she gains to help advance Australia's service responses. Please stay tuned for any developments and opportunities for future collaborations.

If you have any contacts, recommendations or specific knowledge of programs you think Belinda could benefit from connecting to please reach out to her. All support is deeply welcome and appreciated.