We are addressing data gaps to better understand the experiences of LGBTIQA+ Victorians and support evidence-based policy design and delivery.
In the second year of the strategy, we have laid the foundations to address LGBTIQA+ data gaps by starting a nation-first LGBTIQA+ data availability and reform agenda across the Victorian Government.
We are continuing to build the evidence base to better understand what LGBTIQA+ people need
- We have delivered an outcomes framework that aligns actions with outcomes in the Pride in our future strategy so we can measure our impact and report on the progress of key indicators. The outcomes framework will evolve as we achieve strategy actions and as we improve our LGBTIQA+ data capture and analysis.
- We have made changes to hospital data collections so that health services are required to collect a patient's sex at birth as well as their gender. A guidance document has been published on the Department of Health website to support staff in Victorian health services to understand, plan and implement changes to sex and gender data reporting requirements.
- The Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC) is improving and standardising how Victorian Public Service departments collect demographic data from their employees to support data collection across government to be inclusive and appropriate.
- We are supporting LGBTIQA+ data and research to build the evidence base for effective and inclusive services. This includes partnering with Drummond Street Services to deliver the LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Project to investigate the experiences of LGBTIQA+ peoples’ mental health, wellbeing and mental health help-seeking.
- We engaged the Victorian Government’s Centre for Evaluation and Research Evidence to collate and identify program evaluations that have an LGBTIQA+ focus to improve the understanding of how LGBTIQA+ specialist and mainstream services can deliver supports for LGBTIQA+ communities.
We are co-designing policies and programs with LGBTIQA+ people and communities to support evidence-based decision making
We are increasing diverse LGBTIQA+ representation on Victorian Government boards including through the fifth term of the LGBTIQA+ Taskforce and Health and Wellbeing and Justice Working Groups, the LGBTIQA+ Disability Inclusion Expert Advisory Group and the Education Reference Group.
- We partnered with Switchboard to deliver the Pride in Ageing program, in collaboration with community, to meet the needs of LGBTIQA+ Victorians as they age so they can feel connected, safe and able to live freely as their authentic selves. The program aligns with the Victorian Government’s Ageing Well Action Plan 2022-2026. It will be co-designed in 2024.
- We co-designed multiple programs with LGBTIQA+ people and communities to support the delivery of tailored and evidence-based services including QHub, Pride in Ageing, Pride in Place, LGBTIQA+ Suicide Aftercare program.
Case study 4: Delivering an outcomes framework to track our impact and make and evidence-based decisions to improve the lives of LGBTIQA+ Victorians
We have developed an outcomes framework to set the key impacts we want to see in Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ communities over the life of Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022–32.
The outcomes framework is a system to track the impact actions under of the strategy’s four priority areas. It will support us know if our actions are driving change in the short, medium and long term. By informing our actions with evidence about what is working and what is not, we can drive equality and inclusion for Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ communities and achieve our vision.
Our outcomes recognise and consider intersectionality and the diversity within LGBTIQA+ communities. To develop the outcomes framework, we consulted with key stakeholders over 18 months. This consultation included the LGBTIQA+ Taskforce, Justice and Health and Wellbeing Working Groups, Office of the Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, and stakeholders across the Victorian Public Service.
The outcomes framework will also help us to improve the way we collect and use data about LGBTIQA+ people and overcome significant data gaps for LGBTIQA+ people and communities. We will report to the public on the outcomes framework through our annual updates.
The Government’s intended outcomes to improve the lives of LGBTIQA+ Victorians are organised according to the four priority areas of the Pride in our future strategy.
Priority 1: Equal rights and freedoms
- Outcome 1.1: A more empowering legislative environment upholding the human rights and freedoms of LGBTIQA+ people
- Outcome 1.2: LGBTIQA+ people have safe and effective ways to access justice
Priority 2: Equitable, inclusive and accessible services
- Outcome 2.1: Services are inclusive, affirming and available to LGBTIQA+ people
- Outcome 2.2: Equitable and effective services are provided to LGBTIQA+ people
- Outcome 2.3: Health and wellbeing services support LGBTIQA+ people to live the life they want
Priority 3: Visibility to inform decision making
- Outcome 3.1: Data collection about LGBTIQA+ people is appropriate and effective for building an evidence base
- Outcome 3.2: Decision making affecting LGBTIQA+ people is evidence-based
Priority 4: Safe, strong and sustainable communities
- Outcome 4.1: LGBTIQA+ people are free from harassment, abuse, hate speech and discrimination
- Outcome 4.2: LGBTIQA+ people are safe and secure in their everyday lives
- Outcome 4.3: Victoria’s communities are welcoming and inclusive for LGBTIQA+ people
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