Responding to a gap in evidence-based practice, New Parents, New Possibilities aimed to explore the transition to parenthood for LGBTIQ+ people and contribute to the evidence around family violence prevention during this important life transition. Conducted by drummond street’s Centre for Family Research and Evaluation, this action-research project used a co-production methodology to engage with LGBTIQ+ parents and perinatal service providers in the research, design and piloting of family violence primary prevention initiatives.

The research found that cisnormativity, heteronomativity, gendered norms and the prioritisation of biological relationships across society marginalise LGBTIQ+ parents and provide the context for discrimination and family violence. Among a number of other findings, it also identified that discrimination and a lack of inclusive service delivery are common experiences for LGBTIQ+ parents throughout their transition to parenthood and that there are particular vulnerabilities for trans and gender diverse new parents.

This interactive workshop will discuss the research findings and showcase the suite of family violence prevention resources that were informed by the research and co-developed with a diverse range of stakeholders. Inclusive practice and family violence prevention practice tips for the perinatal sector will be shared whilst highlighting the value in co-production methodologies when engaging with marginalised communities such as LGBTIQ+ parented families.