LGBTI Liaison Officers

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Tasmania Police
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex (LGBTI) Liaison Officers

Tasmania Police has led the nation in responding to the needs of the LGBTI community since the 1990s

Tasmania Police was one of the first Australian police services to educate and inform police recruits about the lived experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Intersex Tasmanians. Tasmania Police is building on that proud history by ensuring our services are delivered as fairly and inclusively as possible.

Tasmania Police acknowledge that Tasmania was the last state to decriminalise male-to-male relationships. This has left a legacy of stigma and discrimination that Tasmania Police seeks to address.

Role of LGBTI Liaison Officer

An important aspect of the service Tasmania Police provide to the LGBTI community is the LGBTI Liaison Officer.

The LGBTI Liaison Officers’ mission is to contribute to the creation of mutual trust between police and LGBTI people so they have increased confidence in police through the provision of a fair and equitable policing service.

Liaison Officers are police officers located throughout the state who can provide discrete advice on crimes and offences and ensure reports to police are appropriately acted upon.

Reporting to Police

Any police officer is able to take a report of crime.

You can contact any police station to do this on 131 444. If the matter is urgent you should call 000.

When attending a police station to report a matter, remember you may ask to conduct your business in a private room. If you feel you are not being treated appropriately you may ask to speak with another police officer or an LGBTI Liaison Officer, however Liaison Officers may not always be immediately available. Most Inspectors of Police have received professional development to perform the role of LGBTI Liaison Officer.

Tasmania Police LGBTI Liaison Officers can help by giving discrete advice and assistance on crimes and offences. The Liaison Officer can also provide expert advice and assistance to police investigators.

To contact your nearest LGBTI Liaison Officer, contact the Tasmania Police switchboard on 131 444.

If you witness or hear an attack, intervene safely

  • If you see someone being attacked don’t ignore it.
  • Think, what help would I want if I were being attacked?
  • Gather other people and go quickly to the scene, blow a whistle if you have one, or shout to attract attention.
  • Remember the purpose is not to physically intervene, but to scare off the attacker(s).

Crimes motivated by prejudice

A prejudice-motivated crime is a crime or offence carried out, at least in part, because of a person’s bias or hatred of another person or group’s perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, race, religion, ethnicity or other related attributes.

Tasmania Police recognise prejudiced motivated crimes, such as homophobic, biphobic or transphobic offences can be ongoing and that it can be one of the most traumatic experiences in a victim’s life.

Such crimes are not limited to assaults. Other common crimes and offences include property damage, robberies and theft.

You can report any such crimes or offences to any police officer, or contact an LGBTI Liaison Officer for assistance.
In an emergency always call triple zero (000).

Bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination and vilification often amount to breaches of the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 and are, as a result, unlawful.

These can be reported to Equal Opportunity Tasmania (the office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner) by telephone on 1300 305 062 or through the Equal Opportunity Tasmania website at office@equalopportunity.tas.gov.au

Family Violence

The Family Violence Act 2004 defines family violence as conduct committed by a person, directly or indirectly, against that person’s spouse or partner including:

  • assault including sexual assault
  • threats, coercion, intimidation or verbal abuse
  • abduction, stalking, economic abuse or
  • emotional abuse or intimidation.

Police understand some forms of abuse are unique to LGBTI relationships with some abusive partners attempting to control and manipulate their partners in a variety of different ways including:

  • Threatening to or ‘outing’ their partner as gay or trans to friends, family and work
  • Telling a partner no one will believe them or care because the police and courts are prejudiced against LGBTI people
  • Telling a partner they deserve it because they are same-sex attracted
  • Telling a partner they are not a real homosexual because of previous relationships with a partner of the opposite sex
  • Relying on sexist stereotypes to hide abuse and increase power and control over their partner by portraying the violence as mutual or consensual combat.

Never think their violence is your fault. In an emergency you should always call police on triple zero (000).

You may also seek advice by speaking to any police officer at any police station or by contacting the Family Violence Response and Referral Line 1800 633 937.

For further advice on same-sex relationship violence visit AnotherCloset – Home (acon.org.au)

Where to get help:

  • Tasmania Police 131 444 or triple zero (000) in an emergency
  • Working It Out 6231 1200 (Statewide) www.workingitout.org.au
  • Coming Out Proud Program Community Liaison Committee 6239 6606 (N/NW/W/S)
  • QLife Nationwide phone counselling for LGBTI people 1800 184 527
  • Family Violence Counselling and Support Service 1800 608 122 (statewide)
  • Family Violence Response and Referral Line 1800 633 937
  • Equal Opportunity Tasmania on 1300 305 062 www.equalopportunity.tas.gov.au