On 20 February 2017, the LGBTI Taskforce’s Justice Working Group held its ninth meeting. 

The list of members, terms of reference and previous communiqués are available on the LGBTI Justice Working Group 2015-17 page

Specific matters considered

Royal Commission into Family Violence - Recommendation 141

Recommendation 141 of the Royal Commission into Family Violence recommends that the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) issue a guideline to assist service providers in meeting their obligations to act inclusively and avoid discrimination when delivering services. It is intended that the guideline note specific issues facing people with particular protected attributes under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, including members of the LGBTI community.

The Justice Working Group discussed with representatives from the VEOHRC some of the key issues facing members of the LGBTI community experiencing family violence. Working Group members also provided feedback on how the guideline should guide service providers to provide services that are inclusive of LGBTI people’s experience of family violence, noting that young LGBTI people experiencing family violence are particularly vulnerable.

The VEOHRC thanked the Justice Working Group for their feedback and invited members to continue providing feedback to the VEOHRC during the consultation phase of the guideline’s development.

Report on the implementation of the expungement scheme

Justice Working Group members were briefed by the Department of Justice and Regulation (DJR) on the implementation of the expungement scheme. The Human Rights Law Centre also briefed Working Group members on the operation of the expungement legal service which provides free legal help for people found guilty of historic homosexual offences.

Members discussed potential for improvements to the operation and promotion of the scheme and resolved that the co-chair would write to the Attorney-General.

Report on the proposed implementation activities of Corrections Victoria

Justice Working Group members were also briefed by DJR on the implementation activities in relation to the revised Commissioner's Requirements for the Management of Prisoners (External link) who are Trans, Gender Diverse or Intersex.

Members discussed the training of corrections staff and decision makers and requested a report back on implementation at a future meeting. The Justice Working Group also considered issues relating to the implementation of health care policy for prisoners who are trans, gender diverse or intersex.

Next meeting 

The Justice Working Group will reconvene for its next meeting on 1 May 2017.

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