Violence Against Persons of Minority Sexual Orientations or Gender Identities
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Assoc Prof Walter Theseira’s inquiry into the Ministry's outreach to LGBTQ victims of violence and the training of state institutions to handle such cases with sensitivity. Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee responded that violence is criminalized for all persons under the Penal Code and the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA). He noted that legislative updates have strengthened protections for those in intimate relationships and that social service professionals are trained to address the diverse needs of all victims. Minister Lee emphasized that help is provided without discrimination at various social service agencies and through public awareness initiatives like the "Break The Silence" campaign. The response concludes that everyone must play a part in reporting violence regardless of the victim’s gender or sexual orientation.
Transcript
25 Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what is the Ministry doing to reach out to persons of minority sexual orientations or gender identities who are facing physical, psychological or sexual violence from family members or intimate partners; (b) whether state-run institutions are trained to be sensitive to their needs and particular experiences when they report incidents of domestic violence; and (c) whether there are plans to launch awareness-raising campaigns and programmes to work with NGOs to support LGBTQ victim-survivors and reach out to those suffering in silence.
Mr Desmond Lee: We do not and should not tolerate violence against any person, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
The Penal Code criminalises violence and the use of force against all persons, including LGBTQ persons. The Protection from Harassment Act, or POHA, enables victims of harassment to apply for protection orders against their perpetrators. The recent Criminal Law Reform Act has strengthened protection in both the Penal Code and POHA, by enhancing penalties for offences against vulnerable persons and victims of violence in intimate or close relationships with the perpetrator. The recent POHA amendments have also strengthened the protection framework for intimate partners under POHA.
Our institutions and social workers are trained to be sensitive to the diverse needs of victims of violence, including those of LGBTQ persons. Victims of violence may approach our Social Service Agencies, such as Family Violence Specialist Centres and Family Service Centres, for assistance. These services are provided to anyone in need, without discrimination.
No victim of violence should have to suffer in silence. MSF has run public education initiatives to raise awareness. Our Break The Silence campaign, in particular, focuses on the role of bystanders in preventing and reporting acts of violence – regardless of marital status or sexual orientation of the victim.
Everyone has a part to play to prevent, detect and report all forms of violence.