AVP Report Line:

9206 2116
1800 063 060

About Us

The Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project (AVP) offers a range of services to individuals and to the gay and lesbian community in general. The AVP is a NSW-wide project and provides the following services, where possible, to metropolitan, regional and rural lesbian and gay communities.

  • The AVP Report-Line (9206 2116 or 1800 063 060). By encouraging victims of anti-lesbian and gay violence or abuse to make a report to the AVP Report-Line we can monitor and map hate crimes. We use this information to develop safety strategies and to advocate for change to make the community safer. Report-Line fridge magnets are available from the AVP. To make a report click Here.

  • Referral and support. Victims of homophobic abuse or violence can call the AVP to get information about other services and details of where to get help. For information about other organisations Click Here.

  • Information. Information and resources on safety for members of the lesbian and gay communities. Click here to view our list of current resources.

  • Self-Defence Workshops. The AVP sometimes offers a series of Self-Defence Workshops for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. The workshops include information on street safety as well as simple and effective self-defence techniques. For more info on dates and times look in the gay and lesbian press or give the AVP a call.

  • The Safe Place Program. Safe Place is a community program promoting safety within lesbian, gay and transgender communities. Safe Places are a network of businesses and services who are equipped to offer support and help to members of the community. A sticker on their front door or window identifies each Safe Place. In case of violence or harassment the victim knows that they can enter the business and will be given appropriate support and aid. Find out more here.

  • Anti-Homophobia Education. The AVP works with the wider community to reduce homophobia. We run workshops and provide printed resources that aim to increase awareness of hate crimes.

  • Advocacy. The AVP works with a range of government agencies, community organisations and the wider community on strategies aimed at reducing violence. The AVP sits on a range of committees and ensures the issue of homophobic violence and abuse is raised. Some of the committees include; the NSW Attorney General’s Department Community Advisory Group; City of Sydney Council’s Community Safety Committee; the Same Sex Domestic Violence Working Group; the Anti-Homophobia in Schools Working Group.

History of the AVP

The Lesbian and Gay Anti–Violence Project (AVP) was established in 1990 after the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby published the findings of it’s Streetwatch Report (Cox: 1990) into violence against gay men and lesbians. The Streetwatch report contained 30 recommendations for action by the Government and community agencies and groups. A Streetwatch Implementation Advisory Committee was established to monitor the implementation of the recommendations. The Advisory Committee was successful at bringing together Government Departments and gay and lesbian community organisations to work towards a safer community.

In 2001 The AVP became a project of the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON) and is currently funded by South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service. The work of the AVP is guided and informed by an advisory committee made up of community representatives as well as professionals working in the area of hate related violence.

The AVP’s Mission Statement

Our mission is to eliminate hate-related violence against lesbian and gay communities. We will achieve this by:

  • Providing an information, advocacy and referral service to survivors of violence.

  • Monitoring violence against lesbians and gay men and carrying out research to identify the nature, causes and solutions to violence.

  • Working in partnership with governments, communities and other community organisations to reform policies and practices to promote community safety and violence prevention

  • Working with the wider community to change attitudes which perpetuate any form of violence.

  • Mobilising the lesbian and gay communities to assert and defend their right to safety;

The AVP recognises that hate related violence against the lesbians and gay community takes many forms and can be driven by prejudice based on gender, transgender, race, HIV status as well as sexuality.