Aims: Safer Options (formerly the Safer Options From Aggression [SOFA] project) was a 12-month research project at Curtin University that investigated ways of improving primary care providers’ recognition and responsiveness to intimate partner violence (IPV) in LGBTIQA+ individuals residing in Western Australia (WA). Prior research indicates that LGBTIQA+ individuals seek help for IPV from healthcare providers at lower rates compared to non-LGBTIQA+ individuals and, that when LGBTIQA+ individuals do seek help, their experiences may be dismissed by providers.

Methods: Safer Options researchers undertook an extensive consultation process. In total, 526 LGBTIQA+ took part in a state-wide survey; 8 primary care providers took part in semi-structured interviews; 14 LGBTIQA+ individuals took part in semi-structured interviews and focus groups; 7 employees in the IPV sector participated in one-to-one interviews; and 8 providers and LGBTIQA+ individuals participated in two codesign workshops.

Results: Findings revealed that primary care providers tend to not receive any formal training in LGBTIQA+ forms of IPV and have access to few or no resources that would enable them to better recognise and respond to IPV in LGBTIQA+ patients in their practice. In addition, LGBTIQA+ individuals have difficulty recognising IPV in their intimate relationships and find it difficult to know which primary care providers they can trust to disclose IPV to, resulting in lower help-seeking behaviours.

Discussion: Based on the results of the consultation and codesign process, Safer Options researchers developed an educational website and a set of printable brochures and posters to educate and raise awareness about IPV in LGBTIQA+ contexts. These resources are now available for use at saferoptions.org.au. In this presentation, we will present the findings from the research and these resources to discuss the importance of responding as needed to LGBTIQA+ individuals experiencing IPV in WA.