Drawing on both lived and professional experience, this keynote traces the journey of the LGBTIQ+ domestic, family and sexual violence sector, from invisibility and exclusion to the growth of targeted research, specialist services, and increasing recognition within policy and practice. It reflects on the moments that have shaped this work: national campaigns, world-first programs, and the emergence of a dedicated LGBTIQ+ frontline workforce.


But progress hasn’t been easy and it hasn’t been linear.


This keynote explores where we are now: a sector that has achieved significant change, yet still contends with systemic gaps, uneven access, and ongoing barriers for many in LGBTIQ+ communities.


Looking ahead, it asks what comes next. Not just where the sector is heading, but where it needs to go, and what it will take to get there. What does equity look like? And who is still at risk of being left behind?


Grounded in reflection and shaped by experience, this keynote invites participants to reflect on their role as allies in this movement and their own role in building a more responsive, equitable, and accountable DFSV system.