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Research on how factors such as mental health, alcohol and other drug use, and gambling impact violence, as well as practice resources to support cultural safety, disability and work with LGBTIQ+ communities.
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Inclusive practice with LGBTIQA+ communities
Research here and internationally suggests LGBTIQA+ people experience sexual, family and/or intimate partner violence at the same rate – or even higher – rates than women in the broader population. [1] Yet there can be barriers for LGBTIQA+ communities seeking support for family and intimate partner violence. [2]
Sources[1] Say It Out Loud [2] Rainbow Door
Alcohol, gambling and gendered violence
“Alcohol is involved in between 23% and 65% of all police-reported family violence incidents. In 2021-22, 47% of women who were sexually assaulted by a man in the past decade said alcohol or another substance contributed to the most recent incident” (FARE, 2025).
Gambling is an important consideration in our work with families and couples experiencing violence. It is believed that family violence is “three times more likely to occur in families in which there is significant harm from gambling, compared with families with no harm from gambling” (Women’s Health in the North ).
University of Melbourne, 2021 | Open in new tabThis webinar provides an overview of the Safe & Together Addressing ComplexitY (STACY) for Children project, which explored whether the Safe & Together Model improves practices and outcomes for children and families affected by domestic violence and parental issues like AoD and mental health.
Addressing the link between gambling and family violence: Submission to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee | NTV, 2021 | Read reportIn NTV’s submission to the Victorian Government’s Inquiry into the Victorian Auditor-General’s reports no. 99: Follow up of Regulating Gambling and Liquor (2019) and no. 213: Reducing the Harm Caused by Gambling (2021), No to Violence (NTV) they explored the progress that has been made towards addressing the link between gambling and family violence.
Alcohol other drugs and family violence | Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre, 2019 | Read factsheet
The dangerous combination of gambling and domestic and family violence against women | ANROWS, 2020 | ReadA practice guide developed to build the capacity of workers in the domestic and family violence (DFV), gambling help and financial counselling sectors in order to support women who have been affected by DFV (including economic abuse) from a male partner, where the DFV is linked to the woman’s or her male partner’s gambling.
Increasing the odds for safety and respect | Women’s Health in the North, 2017 | Read factsheetProvides a summary of information on the links between gambling-related harm and family violence.
Gambling harm and intimate partner violence | ANROWS, 2020 | Read reportThere has been little examination of the connection between gambling and coercive control and economic abuse. This research looks at the relationship between gambling and intimate partner violence against women. The authors found that while gambling does not directly cause IPV, it exacerbates it in serious ways, and that economic abuse is highly prevalent among women experiencing gambling-related intimate partner violence.
View all presentations and discussions on the intersection of alcohol, gambling and gendered violence.
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Mental health and disability
The REACH Project | University of Melbourne, SAS Vic & Women with Disabilities Vic | 2024 | Read moreInformed and guided by people with lived experience of sexual assault, this project focused on better understanding of what helps people to recover and heal after sexual violence.
Changing the Landscape: A national resource to prevent violence against women and girls with disabilities | Our Watch & Women with Disabilities Victoria, 2022 | Read reportBuilds on Change the story to deepen the understanding of violence against women and girls with disabilities and its dynamics and impacts.
Violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of LGBTQA+ people with disability: a secondary analysis of data from two national surveys | La Trobe University, 2022 | Download
Providing tailored and inclusive support | Safe and Equal, 2025 | Access all materialsResponses to family violence must be inclusive, tailored and flexible, recognising each victim’s unique experiences and needs. This page guides practitioners in delivering services that meet the safety and support needs of diverse communities.
Supporting people with disability | Go to
You can download copies and order print copies of several resources | Read more
What is Family Violence? Tipsheet for persons with disabilityDisability Family Violence Crisis Response InitiativeDisability – My safety planDisability – What is a refuge?Disability – What is a Family Violence Intervention Order?
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Information and resources provided on this Family Violence Sexual Violence Knowledge Hub are curated to be the most recent and relevant available. The content is continually being developed and will be regularly updated to reflect the latest insights and best practices. While we strive to maintain the accuracy and timeliness of the information, we encourage users to check back frequently for new and refreshed materials.
