Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697630568152.pdf (Australia)
4 April 2016 Senate Finance and Public Administration Committees PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 via fpa.sen@aph.gov.au Dear Committee Secretariat, The Victorian Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) provides the following submission to the inquiry into domestic violence and gender inequality.

The VGLRL is a community based advocacy group that works towards equality, social justice and advancing human rights for lesbian, gay, queer, bisexual and same sex attracted Victorians.
We work constructively, cooperatively and respectfully with transgender, bisexual, intersex and other organisations that support our organisation’s mission and vision.

This submission draws from our submission to the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence and, in particular, addresses the role of gender stereotypes and heteronormativity on family violence in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities (Term of Reference b).
The submission notes that LGBTI family violence is largely invisible in research and awareness campaigns and that it is not even mentioned, let alone addressed, in the Action Plans associated with the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (Term of Reference c).

This poses a significant barrier to addressing family violence in LGBTI communities.
We hope that the Committees will take the time to consider the issues raised in this submission and would be pleased to make ourselves available to the Committees at any stage to discuss the matters therein.

Yours sincerely, Ms Rachael Hambleton Co-Convener, VGLRL Mr Sean Mulcahy Co-Convener, VGLRL 1 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39 Table of Contents Senate Finance and Public Administration Committees....................................... 3 1.
Introduction ............................................................................................ 3 2.

Gender stereotypes and heteronormativity ............................................ 4 Invisibility in research and awareness campaigns .................................... 4 Heteronormativity in perpetrator programs .............................................. 5 Gendered services and emergency housing accommodation .................... 6 3.
Issues affecting different groups ............................................................ 8 LGBTI youth ............................................................................................ 8 Trans and gender diverse people ............................................................. 9 Bisexual people..................................................................................... 10 2 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39 Senate Finance and Public Administration Committees Inquiry into domestic violence and gender inequality 1.
Introduction 1.1 The majority of intimate partner violence discourse is constructed according to gendered assumptions and heteronormativity.1 which suggest that those who perpetrate domestic violence must be men or ‘butches’ and those who are victims of domestic violence must be women or Moreover, ‘misconceptions exist ‘femmes’, essentially emulating assumptions about domestic violence in heterosexual relationships.’2 people in same-sex relationships disclosing family violence and mask the reality These ‘misconceptions contribute to the hesitancy of of same-sex domestic violence’ and also ‘fail to account for the complexities arising in same-sex relationships.’3 These misconceptions also fail to take account of the experiences of gender diverse people, discussed further below.
1.2 As Dr Philomena Horsley of Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria says: Family violence is discussed in terms of gender inequality.

So, if you’ve got two women in a relationship or two men in a relationship, people go: ‘What’s the problem?
How could there be violence in that situation?’ So it’s often not taken seriously and therefore people have concerns about how they’ll be treated if they seek help through the police or through family services.4 It is problematic to focus on a gender inequality discourse to explain domestic violence.5 1.3 The view of the VGLRL, in testimony to the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence, is that, ‘without losing that focus on the gendered nature of much of 1 Samantha Jeffries & Matthew Ball, ‘Male Same Sex Intimate Partner Violence: A Descriptive Review and Call for Further Research’ (2008) 15(1) Murdoch University Electronic Journal of Law, 134; Betsi Little & Cheryl Terrance, ‘Perceptions of Domestic Violence in Lesbian Relationships: Stereotypes and Gender Role Expectations’ (2010) 57(3) Journal of Homosexuality 429; Kierryrnn Davis & Nel Glass, ‘Reframing the Heteronormative Constructions of Lesbian Partner Violence – An Australian Case Study’ and Maurice Kwong-Lai Poon, ‘Beyond Good and Evil: The Social Construction of Violence in Intimate Gay Relationships’ in Janice Ristock (ed), Intimate Partner Violence in LGBTQ Lives (Routledge, 2010); Sheila Seelau & Eric Seelua, ‘Gender-Role Stereotypes and Perceptions of Heterosexual, Gay and Lesbian Domestic Violence’ (2005) 20(6) Journal of Family Violence, 363; Matthew Ball & Sharon Hayes, ‘Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence; Exploring Parameters’ in Burkhard Scherer (ed), Queering Paradigms (Peter Lang, 2009).
2 Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby NSW, Submission No 27 to Social Issues Committee, Parliament of NSW, Inquiry into Domestic Violence Trends and Issues in NSW, 16 September 2011, 5.

See also Betsi Little & Cheryl Terrance, ‘Perceptions of Domestic Violence in Lesbian Relationships: Stereotypes and Gender Role Expectations’ (2010) 57(3) Journal of Homosexuality 429, 431.
3 Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby NSW, Submission No 27 to Social Issues Committee, Parliament of NSW, Inquiry into Domestic Violence Trends and Issues in NSW, 16 September 2011, 5.

4 Philomena Horsley, Interview, ABC News Breakfast, 11 August 2015.

5 Gay Alcorn, ‘Australians are being told that gender inequality is the root cause of domestic violence.

But is it?’ The Guardian, 19 February 2016.


3 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39 intimate partner violence and the experience of women, we still need to be inclusive of the diversity that’s existing within our society.’6 Domestic violence expresses itself in different ways in LGBTI relationships and this should be acknowledged and appropriately responded to.

2.
Gender stereotypes and heteronormativity Invisibility in research and awareness campaigns 2.1 2.2 2.3 Current awareness campaigns regarding domestic violence portray a gendered, heteronormative vision of domestic violence as men’s violence against women, erasing the experience of domestic violence within LGBTI relationships.7 result in LGBTI communities being rendered invisible in the media campaigns, This can potentially meaning some people in abusive relationships will not recognise it as such and therefore may not seek help from police, lawyers and support services.8 The campaign ‘To Violence Against Women, Australia Says No’ reflects the binary subject positions of male perpetrators and female victims.9 such a gendered construction and the fixation of positions (men as violent and women as passive) contributes to the reluctance of many victims of LGBTI The attachment to intimate partner violence to seek support, or even to identity their situation as family violence.10 steered government research funding policy decisions in Australia, and thus Such attachment to a heterosexual model of family violence has excluded awareness or discussion of LGBTI family violence.
One in seven respondents to the Coming Forward survey – a survey of 390 LGBT Victorians – reported that social change would increase their likelihood of reporting or seeking assistance.11 to sexuality, gender, intersex and non-heterosexual relationships in mainstream domestic violence and healthy relationships campaigns’ and strategies.12 The There is a need for ‘inclusion of issues relating Government should fund inclusive anti-domestic violence campaigns, particularly early intervention that targets young people through school programs and social 6 Anna Brown, Evidence to Royal Commission into Family Violence, 11 August 2015, 2538.
7 Inner City Legal Centre, Submission No 116 to Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Parliament of Australia, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 11 August 2014, 11; Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 150.

8 Inner City Legal Centre, Submission No 116 to Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Parliament of Australia, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 11 August 2014, 19.
9 Matthew Ball & Sharon Hayes, ‘Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence; Exploring Parameters’ in Burkhard Scherer (ed), Queering Paradigms (Peter Lang, 2009) 164.

10 Matthew Ball & Sharon Hayes, ‘Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence; Exploring Parameters’ in Burkhard Scherer (ed), Queering Paradigms (Peter Lang, 2009) 171.

11 William Leonard et al, Coming forward: The underreporting of heterosexist violence and same sex partner abuse in Victoria (Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, 2008) 61.
12 ACON, Submission No 46 to Social Issues Committee, Parliament of NSW, Inquiry into Domestic Violence Trends and Issues in NSW, 23 September 2011, 4.

4 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39 media in order to promote healthy attitudes about relationships.
School programs that tackle homophobia, such as the Safe Schools program, are a good example.13 As the Royal Commission into Family Violence acknowledged, ‘This would require increased funding of inclusive family violence awareness campaigns and early intervention programs.’14 2.4 There is also a need for campaigns that specifically target LGBTI communities and provide information on the nature of domestic violence in LGBTI communities, as well as support, counselling, and referral services.15 The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children states that Local Community Action Grants will be made available by Commonwealth and state governments to mainstream organisations to assist gay and lesbian communities.16 To date, ACON is the only federally funded LGBTI organisation undertaking work on LGBTI family violence.17 Its ‘Another Closet’ website that provides information and support to LGBTI communities on domestic violence is a valuable source of guidance; however, there is a need for funding to LGBTI organisations outside New South Wales to address LGBTI family violence.
2.5 There is some inclusion of LGBTI people in the National Plan, as discussed above, but there are substantial missed opportunities to address LGBTI specific issues and a prioritisation of women as victims of violence by men which does not account for the experience of many women and other survivors of family violence.18 The Action Plans associated with the National Plan do not even mention, let alone address, LGBTI family violence.
The implementation strategies associated with any commitments under the National Plan need to be reviewed to incorporate consultation with LGBTI community representatives and survivors of family violence.

LGBTI people need to be included in any strategies and campaigns developed to address family violence.
Heteronormativity in perpetrator programs 2.6 Heteronormativity and the ‘female victim-male perpetrator’ standard within perpetrator programs also serve as a barrier to accessing to support services for 13 Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 148.

14 Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 150.
15 Inner City Legal Centre, Submission No 116 to Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Parliament of Australia, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 11 August 2014, 19.

16 Council of Australian Governments, National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (2011) 16.

17 ACON, Submission No 75 to Senate Finance and Public Administration Committees, Commonwealth Parliament, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 31 July 2014, 1.
18 ACON, Submission No 75 to Senate Finance and Public Administration Committees, Commonwealth Parliament, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 31 July 2014, 6.
5 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39 LGBTI people who experience family violence.19 for female perpetrators and male victims within mainstream services.20 Furthermore, ‘there are currently no funded programs, at the state or national There is lack of referral options level, appropriate for female perpetrators of domestic violence.

Additionally there are very few appropriate programs for male victims of domestic violence.
Currently funding is targeted at heterosexual male behaviour change which is inappropriate in addressing domestic violence in LGBTI relationships.’21 This is despite there being guidelines for men’s behaviour change programs that ‘state that programs should challenge homophobia and recommend referrals, information and resources for men who are in same-sex relationships.’22 2.7 The Victorian Government ‘has acknowledged that the lack of programs specific to LGBTI perpetrators is a ‘service gap’ which needs to be considered.’23 Safe and appropriate perpetrator programs should be developed for LGBTI perpetrators that address the specific nature of these relationships.
Good examples include Victorian AIDS Council’s ReVisioning program, a behaviour change program for gay men, which recently received much-needed funding from the Victorian Government.24 However, we are not aware of any female perpetrator programs.
2.8 Furthermore, service providers should change the terminology used in mainstream men’s behaviour change programs to ensure inclusivity, recognise the differing needs of gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex men, and ensure the safety of LGBTI participants.25 Gendered services and emergency housing accommodation 2.9 LGBTI victims of domestic violence may have difficulty accessing safe and appropriate emergency and long-term accommodation.
There are limited, if any, appropriate services for intersex people, gender diverse people and gay, bisexual or transgender men, and transgender women may have difficulties accessing accommodation in emergency housing for women if they have not had gender reassignment surgery.26 The VGLRL is unaware of any emergency housing 19 Inner City Legal Centre, Submission No 116 to Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Parliament of Australia, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 11 August 2014, 20.
20 Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby NSW, Submission No 27 to Social Issues Committee, Parliament of NSW, Inquiry into Domestic Violence Trends and Issues in NSW, 16 September 2011, 5.

21 ACON, Submission No 46 to Social Issues Committee, Parliament of NSW, Inquiry into Domestic Violence Trends and Issues in NSW, 23 September 2011, 7.

22 Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 155.
23 Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 155.

24 Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 155.

25 Inner City Legal Centre, Submission No 116 to Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Parliament of Australia, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 11 August 2014, 20.
26 Inner City Legal Centre, Submission No 116 to Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Parliament of Australia, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 11 August 2014, 14.
6 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39 accommodation for men and there is also reported difficulty accessing domestic violence refuges by lesbians and transgender women.27 There have been instances where transgender women have been refused crisis accommodation because they have not had gender affirmation surgery or transgender men who have had to present as women in order to access services.28 This forces them to sleep rough, rely on family or friends, pay for hostels or hotels, or approach homeless shelters that may be unsafe for LGBTI individuals.
We are only aware one women’s refuge in Victoria that provides support to transgender victims of family violence – Kara House.29 2.10 Young LGBTI individuals escaping family or partner violence are in particular need of housing services as they are more vulnerable to becoming homeless and are disproportionately represented in homeless populations.30 They are also more inclined to sleep rough or sleep in saunas because of a fear of facing discrimination, homophobia and violence at homeless shelters.31 There is currently only one accommodation provider for LGBTI young people experiencing homelessness in Victoria – the Alsorts program run by Family Access Network.32 The needs of LGBTI young people are discussed further below.
2.11 The Royal Commission into Family Violence recommended funding for safe accommodation for LGBTI victims.33 The Victorian Government has committed to implementing this and all recommendations.

The Federal Government should similarly provide funding for safe accommodation for LGBTI victims who cannot remain in their home.
2.12 The Royal Commission into Family Violence found that ‘LGBTI people regularly experience homophobia and transphobia in housing and accommodation services.’34 Furthermore, the Sex Discrimination Act contains an exception, allowing charities or religious bodies who provide accommodation to discriminate against persons based on their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status or certain other attributes.35 This may prove problematic for LGBTI people.
Those who do not identify within the traditional gender binary may be excluded from accessing services (for example, women’s shelters) on the basis that they 27 Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby NSW, Submission No 27 to Social Issues Committee, Parliament of NSW, Inquiry into Domestic Violence Trends and Issues in NSW, 16 September 2011, 5.

28 Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 154.
29 Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 154.

30 Inner City Legal Centre, Submission No 116 to Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Parliament of Australia, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 11 August 2014, 14.
31 Inner City Legal Centre, Submission No 116 to Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Parliament of Australia, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 11 August 2014, 15; Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 154.

32 Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 154.

33 Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 161.
34 Royal Commission into Family Violence, Report and Recommendations: Volume V (2016) 154.

35 Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) s 23(3).

7 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39 are not recognised by these service providers as being of the female sex.

Religious groups may also turn away LGBTI victims of family violence from emergency housing.
2.13 Consideration should be given to appropriate steps to address this barrier and improve access to emergency accommodation for LGBTI individuals escaping domestic and family violence, particularly transgender women, gay, bisexual, and transgender men, intersex individuals and gender diverse individuals.36 3.
Issues affecting different groups LGBTI youth 3.1 The gender binary and continued maintenance of traditional gender roles perpetuate negative behaviours and attitudes to LGBTI youth, particularly from parents, carers or other family members.
A national survey of LGBTI young people found that 24% of LGBTI youth had experienced verbal and physical abuse in the family home.37 Familial homophobia, biphobia and transphobia can significantly traumatize and debilitate LGBTI youth, resulting in internalised homo-/bi-/trans- phobia, psychological stress and mental health problems, homelessness, poor health and drug-dependency, and cyclical patterns of violence towards others in their adult life.
Moreover, the perception that family matters are ‘private and untouchable’38 prevents societal and third party intervention into family structures to address violence against LGBTI children.

3.2 Families act as means of socialization where gender norms emerge and are sustained.
The maintenance and preservation of the gender-binary takes the form of parents encourages the practices of ‘wearing gender-appropriate clothing, playing with gender-appropriate toys, and taking on gender-specific social roles.’39 There are particular expectations of gender and sexual behaviours within the family.40 Children and youth who do not conform to these norms and gender regulations can be ridiculed and excluded from the family home and from peer 36 Inner City Legal Centre, Submission No 116 to Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Parliament of Australia, Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia, 11 August 2014, 15.
37 Lynne Hillier et al, Writing Themselves in 3: The third national study on the sexual health and wellbeing of same sex attracted and gender questioning young people (Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, 2010).

38 Sarah Schulman, Ties that Bind: Familial Homophobia and its Consequences (The New Press, reprint edition 2012) 13.

39 Michelle Dietert & Dianne Denticem, ‘Growing Up Trans: socialization and the gender binary’ (2013), Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 9:1 31.
40 Marcus Herz & Thomas Johansson, ‘The Normativity of the Concept of Heteronormativity’ (2015), Journal of Homosexuality, 62:8, 1012.

8 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39 groups.
The family is where most LGBTI people face homo-/bi-/trans-phobia for the first time.41 3.3 This behaviour can manifest itself in different ways, including: outright exclusion and rejection of the LGBTI child; partial participation but on the condition of never discussing their sexual orientation or gender identity; some full participation but a consistent reinforcement that their sexual orientation or gender identity is a consequence of pathology.
This trauma and exclusion from family life can result in substance abuse, homelessness, risky behaviour, depression and other stress that can ‘literally end that person’s existence.’42 3.4 This is not to say that all families are unsupportive and critical of LGBTI children.

However, LGBTI youth do report experiencing negative consequences due to unwelcoming, unkind or abusive family or parents.
The rejecting behaviours of parents to their children who identify as LGBTI can cause psychological distress and behaviour problems for LGBTI children43 and can be seen as the prototype for broader heterosexism in public life.44 Maintenance and conformity to gender roles and expression by parents can thus negatively affect the ongoing development and health of LGBTI youth.

Trans and gender diverse people 3.5 According to the Out of Sight, Out of Mind?
report45 – a survey of 60 trans and gender diverse Scots – 73% of trans and gender diverse people have experienced transphobic behaviour from a partner or ex-partner that may amount to domestic violence.

3.6 Domestic violence against trans and gender diverse people can manifest itself in different ways, including but not limited to: stopping a person from accessing transition (e.g.

access to medication, hormones or surgery); stopping a person from being able to express their gender identity (e.g.
changes in appearance or personal descriptors); stopping a person from engaging with other trans and gender diverse people or attending a trans or gender diverse social or support group; and making a person feel ashamed or wrong about their trans or gender diverse identity or history.

41 Sarah Schulman, Ties that Bind: Familial Homophobia and its Consequences (The New Press, reprint edition 2012) 32.
42 Sarah Schulman, Ties that Bind: Familial Homophobia and its Consequences (The New Press, reprint edition 2012) 3.

43 Michelle Dietert & Dianne Denticem, ‘Growing Up Trans: socialization and the gender binary’ (2013), Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 9:1 27.

44 Sarah Schulman, Ties that Bind: Familial Homophobia and its Consequences (The New Press, reprint edition 2012) 32.

45 Amy Roch et al, Out of Sight, Out of Mind?


: Transgender People’s Experiences of Domestic Abuse (LGBT Youth Scotland & Equality Network, 2010).

9 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39 3.7 Trans and gender diverse people are particularly vulnerable to violence when they come out as trans or gender for the first time or when they reveal their plans to undergo gender reassignment surgery to a partner.
It is in these moments that trans and gender diverse people can uproot deeply ingrained concepts of gender and expose themselves to ridicule, exclusion or violence.

3.8 Many trans and gender diverse people do not seek support when they experience domestic violence due to a fear of transphobic reactions from friends, relatives or police, and also because there are – or are perceived to be – limited domestic violence organisations willing to assist them.
There needs to be changes to organisational and police support services, including the provision of inclusive trans and gender diverse materials, advertising by agencies that they will work with trans and gender diverse people, and training for staff on the unique experiences and specific needs of transgender people.
3.9 The Royal Commission into Family Violence has recommended a wholesale review of law and policy to remove barriers to trans and gender diverse people accessing services, including ensuring trans and gender diverse people can have their self-affirmed gender recognised and protected; issuing guidelines to make it clear that family violence services should not discriminate against trans or gender diverse victims; and amending forms to include a field to record ‘other’ gender.
As the Lobby said at the time, ‘These recommendations are critical to ensuring that LGBTI people can access family violence services who understand their particular needs and without a fear of being turned away.’46 Bisexual people 3.10 According to the Understanding issues facing bisexual Americans study,47 there is an increased risk of violence and suicidality amongst bisexual people.
Notably, 61% of bisexual women and 37% of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner, a rate than is significantly higher than for heterosexual, gay or lesbian comparators.48 3.11 Most bisexual women (89.5%) report having only male perpetrators of intimate partner violence and the majority of bisexual men (78.5%) report having only female perpetrators of intimate partner violence.49 Forms of psychological aggression are more commonly reported amongst bisexual women than lesbian 46 Rachel Cook, ‘LGBTI community organizations praise Royal Commission recommendations into Family Violence’ Gay New Network, 30 March 2016.
47 Understanding issues affecting bisexual Americans (Movement Advancement Project, BiNetUSA & Bisexual Resource Center, 2014).

48 Mikel Walters, Jieru Chen & Matthew Breiding, The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) 2.
49 Mikel Walters, Jieru Chen & Matthew Breiding, The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) 2.

10 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39 or heterosexual women; however, less commonly reported amongst bisexual men.50 Experiences of psychological aggression differ between bisexual women and heterosexual women.
For example, heterosexual women are more likely to experience psychological aggression in the form of threats to take away money or children, whereas bisexual women are more likely to experience threats like “If I can’t have you, then no on can.”51 Bisexual women also report much higher rates of fear, concern for safety and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of domestic violence, whereas heterosexual women report higher rates of needing housing services, crisis hotlines and victims’ advocacy.52 Bisexual women also report higher rates of childhood rape.53 3.12 As discussed above, domestic violence manifests itself in different ways in different-sex relationships as compared to same-sex relationships.
There are also differences in the way in which bisexual people experience domestic violence compared to gay and lesbian people.

Stereotypes and perceived myths surrounding bisexuals that exist within the LGBTI community and broader society – including myths that bisexual people are confused or hiding their ‘real’ sexuality – can lead to discrimination from the LGBTI community and from support services, the police and the bisexual person’s family and friends.
3.13 Those who deal with family violence should and must understand that the experiences of clients who identify as bisexual can be much different from the experiences of their lesbian and gay clients, and data collection needs to take more account of bisexual people as a distinct population group.54 50 Mikel Walters, Jieru Chen & Matthew Breiding, The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) 24.
51 Mikel Walters, Jieru Chen & Matthew Breiding, The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) 25.
52 Mikel Walters, Jieru Chen & Matthew Breiding, The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) 30-31.
53 Mikel Walters, Jieru Chen & Matthew Breiding, The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) 13.
54 Understanding issues affecting bisexual Americans (Movement Advancement Project, BiNetUSA & Bisexual Resource Center, 2014); Mikel Walters, Jieru Chen & Matthew Breiding, The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).

11 Domestic violence and gender inequalitySubmission 39