Authors: Liza Lorenzetti,Lana Wells, Tonya Callaghan,Carmen Logie

Date: February-2015

This report provides an overview of domestic violence within gender and sexually diverse communities, with a focus on Alberta and Canada. Included are specific risk factors for gender and sexually diverse communities, as well as information about barriers to accessing safe and appropriate services. The report highlights areas for prevention, including promising practices aimed at decreasing rates of violence, promoting attitudinal and norms change, and providing safe, welcoming and appropriate domestic violence services. The findings from this report are currently being shared across Alberta with the objective of catalyzing a much-needed discussion about how discrimination, stigma and systemic barriers negatively impact the lives of gender and sexually diverse communities. Pam Krause, President and CEO of the Calgary Sexual Health Centre and Brian Hansen, Shift Research Associate have been leading a series of consultations across Alberta, sharing the research findings and trying to identify solutions at the local and policy levels. If you would like more information, please contact bhansen@ucalgary.ca