2019 CONFERENCE PROGRAM

In 2016 Victoria Police commissioned Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV) to explore how the organisation can better engage with and increase trust in the relationship between police and LGBTI young people. The report, Policing for same sex attracted and sex and gender diverse (SSASGD) young Victorians, was formally launched on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) at Footscray Station 17 May 2018. Almost 95 per cent of respondents said they had experienced some sort of discriminatory abuse in their lifetime. The report made 20 recommendations including increased training on LGBTI issues as well as recruitment strategies to increase LGBTI diversity within Victoria Police. The presentation will explore the complexities of managing community expectations of police whilst incorporating operational measures for frontline police. It will also seek to unpack the relationship between young LGBTI people and the broader LGBTI community and how their perceptions of police might interact/converge.