ARCSHS ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - La Trobe University

Message fromProfessor John DewarI am delighted to introducethe Annual Report of theAustralian Research Centrein Sex, Health and Society.2017 was a special yearfor the Centre and for theUniversity, which celebratedtheir 25th and 50thanniversaries respectively.Since it was founded, ARCSHS hasbecome the leading centre in providingthe evidence needed to understandsex and sexuality in contemporaryAustralia, particularly in relation to health,education and social justice. ARCSHSdoes not operate in isolation but worksin partnership with communities,practitioners, organisations andgovernment to produce research thatadvances knowledge and promotespositive social change.This year Australia welcomed verysignificant social change – its citizensdeclared their wish to recognise same-sexmarriage in a resounding ‘Yes’ vote formarriage equality. ARCSHS’ research tellsus that this result will have a significantpositive impact on the health and wellbeingof LGBTI Australians, further demonstratingthat the Centre’s work is as important andrelevant today as it was when the Centrewas founded 25 years ago.La Trobe University is an open andinclusive university. We believe that ajust and equitable society is one in whicheveryone has the same opportunitiesand freedoms, and where our differencesare recognised and affirmed. We arecommitted to equality and diversity,and we are proud to support the workof ARCSHS.6LA TROBE UNIVERSITYIn a reflection of the value we place onthe work of ARCSHS, we have made asignificant investment in creating a newspace for the Centre on the University’sBundoora campus. We welcomeARCSHS to our central campus to beginanother 25 years of work to build theevidence-base that is needed to informinterventions in key areas of sex, genderand sexuality.I congratulate everyone who works withand for the Centre on your impressiveachievements, your resilience, and yourcommitment to work that has a positiveimpact in the community. La TrobeUniversity is very proud of ARCSHS’achievements over the last 25 years, andwe look forward to seeing its importantwork continue for the next 25 years.Professor John DewarVice-ChancellorLa Trobe University

Message fromJustice Michael KirbyI am delighted to be able tocongratulate the AustralianResearch Centre in Sex,Health and Society on aproud record of achievementover the past 25 years.The changes that have occurred duringthis time have been immense, and greatadvances have been made in manyareas, but there is certainly a great dealmore to be done.The health and wellbeing of LGBTIAustralians has been in the spotlightduring 2017 in the moves towardsamendments to the Marriage Act 1961,to permit same sex marriage. Althougha difficult and painful process, whichitself harmed many vulnerable peopleby the hostility of the opposition, thepostal survey had a silver lining inNovember 2017. By affirming the supportof Australians for same-sex marriage italso indicated that there was no ‘silentmajority’ of hostile electors in Australia.The values of our citizenry havebeen seriously underestimated andmisrepresented by some politicalleaders. When asked to name a valuethat Australians are proud of, the highestvote in a recent poll was for ‘a fair go’,and the passage of marriage equalitywas the instance most cited. The valueof evidence-based policy was clearlydemonstrated. The work of ARCSHS hasfocused for many years on the healthand wellbeing of LGBTI Australians, andclearly supports the value of recognisingand valuing committed same-sexrelationships.The Centre’s work in the important areasof HIV and other sexually transmissibleinfections continues to be of urgentimportance. Recent good results inthe national returns on HIV infection inAustralia seem to indicate a significantdrop in the number of infections. This isvery welcome news and further supportsthe value of sensible evidence-basedpolicies around sexual behaviour.Decreasing stigma among those withHIV and increasing access to thebiomedical interventions that prevent andtreat HIV will further reduce the numberof infections.Progress will be made on the basisof scientific research and empiricalinformation. ARCSHS contributes tothis research and helps to spread theinformation so that sound judgementscan be made and good policiesimplemented. The research extendsacross all sections of the community.This is why I am proud to be theCentre’s Distinguished Ambassador.I congratulate its staff, partners andsupporters. We will not alone overcomecenturies of fear and ignorance. But wewill contribute to this end and not bedeflected.The experience of humanity over thelast century has been that the roadof wisdom runs through pathways ofempirical research. Only when beliefs,fears and intuition are measured againstthe standards of empirical knowledgecan public policy be placed on a soundfoundation.Michael KirbyDistinguished AmbassadorARCSHSA R C S H S A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 177

Summary offunding sources8%6%Australiancompetitive grantsMiscellaneousincome1%Postgraduateteaching income24%1%Other public sector income– CommonwealthUndergraduateteaching incometotal 5,440,02124%Other public sectorincome – State and Local6%Industry andother income8LA TROBE UNIVERSITY30%La Trobe Universityfunding

Strategic planThe ARCSHS StrategicPlan 2016-2019 sets thekey strategic directionfor the Centre to strive tobecome the leading centrein Australia in sexualityresearch.ARCSHS’ mission as stated in theplan is as follows:The Australian Research Centre inSex, Health and Society is a centre forsocial research into sexuality, healthand the social dimensions of humanrelationships. It works collaborativelyand in partnership with communities,community-based organisations,government and professionals inrelevant fields to produce researchthat advances knowledge andpromotes positive change in policy,practice and people’s lives.The plan outlines three main aims forthe coming three years:Aim 1Build new knowledgeAim 2Build research impactAim 3Build a strong research centreThe Centre has adopted actions towardsachieving each of these aims and hasoutlined measures to track performanceover time. The Strategic Plan is a keypublic document that sets out ARCSHS’mission, strategic direction, aims andexpectations of performance for the period2016-2019. It will be reviewed annuallywith input from all staff to track progressagainst key performance indicators andto revise plans for the coming year.A new plan will be prepared by 2019.Research themesSince its beginnings in 1992, ARCSHS hasbecome the major player in framing theagenda on, and delivering the evidenceto understand, sex and sexuality incontemporary Australia, particularly inrelation to health, education and socialjustice.Through surveys of the generalpopulation, the Centre has helped trackpatterns and practices during the lifecourse and over time. ARCSHS alsolooks specifically at aspects of healthand wellbeing with diverse sexuality andgender minorities, including same-sexattracted and gender-diverse young people,older people, as well as the intersectionof sexuality with other issues such asdisability and mental health.ARCSHS is one of four national centresfunded to undertake strategic researchas part of Australia’s national responseto HIV, viral hepatitis and sexuallytransmissible infections. This includesresearch that directly informs indicatorsin these strategies relating to the qualityof life of people living with HIV, hepatitisB and C, and the sexual health of youngpeople.ARCSHS has unique expertise incommunity-engaged research, particularlyworking with marginalised and difficultto-reach communities. The Centre uses apartnership approach at all stages of theresearch process, including prioritisationof relevant community participation informulating research questions, designingand conducting research, and in thedissemination and application of results.The Centre specialises in using researchfindings to produce training andeducational resources for practitionersand to advise policy development.ARCSHS provides invaluable and widelyused resources and training for teachers,health practitioners, and community andaged-care workers. The Centre worksin partnership with government, serviceproviders and community organisationsto influence and change policy to reflectthe latest evidence and achieve betteroutcomes.ARCSHS aims to maintain and expandthe following research themes as areasof established strength:yy Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenderand intersex health and wellbeingyy Blood-borne virus and sexuallytransmissible infectionsyy Gender, sexuality and social theoryIn addition, the Centre will seek todevelop the following as emergingresearch themes:yy School-based sexuality educationyy Sexual and reproductive healthand rightsyy Policy, community and health servicesWorking internationally is a featureof much of ARCSHS’ research, butparticularly in the areas of HIV and viralhepatitis. This will continue to be a focusrunning through the research themesoutlined above. The Centre has providedsocial research and capacity-buildingprojects, particularly in Asia and thePacific, and technical advice throughrelationships with the Department ofForeign Affairs and Trade, the WorldHealth Organization, the Joint UnitedNations Programme of HIV/AIDS, andthe Coalition for the Eradication ofViral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific.A R C S H S A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 179

2017 highlightsJOURNAL ARTICLESSECTOR PARTICIPATION7220REFEREED PLUS20 ADVANCEDPUBLICATIONSINTERNATIONAL ORNATIONAL ACADEMICSOCIETIESMONOGRAPHS ANDREPORTSCOMMONWEALTHGOVERNMENTADVISORY GROUPS948BOOKSSTATE GOVERNMENTADVISORY GROUPS206BOARDS/STEERINGGROUPS OF COMMUNITYOR ACADEMICORGANISATIONSBOOKS ORBOOK SECTIONSJOURNALS80JOURNAL REVIEWS10LA TROBE UNIVERSITY17EDITORIAL ROLESIN ATIONALCONFERENCES36AT MEETINGS

MEDIA PROFILE4M55KSTAFF AND STUDENTS30AUDIENCEREACHED THROUGHMAINSTREAM MEDIAVISITS ON ASSOCIATEDWEBSITESEQUIVALENT FULLTIME D STUDENTS(2 COMPLETIONS)1.1K302.7KFACEBOOKFOLLOWERSAUTHOR OR SUBJECT OFPRINT OR ELECTRONICARTICLESPEOPLE RECEIVEDTRAININGBUDGET17MEDIAAPPEARANCES 5.44MIN FUNDINGA R C S H S A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1711

Research projectsReducing HealthDisparities for OlderLGBTI AustraliansLGBTI Aged Care TrainingAustralian Research CouncilLinkage ProjectPauline CrameriAnthony Lyons, Catherine Barrett(OPAL institute), Victor Minichiello,Mark Hughes (Southern Cross University),Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen (University ofWashington), COTA Australia, NationalLGBTI Health Alliance, SANE Australia,Carers AustraliaThis project utilises quantitative andqualitative methods to provide detaileddata on the health and support-relatedchallenges and needs of older LGBTIAustralians, as well as the educationaland support needs of service providers.It will develop essential resources tosupport policymakers and service providersin reducing the health disparities facedby older LGBTI Australians.Val’s LGBTI Ageingand Aged CareVictorian Government Departmentof Health and Human ServicesPauline CrameriVal’s@GLHV is a program that worksto improve healthy ageing pathways,care, and visibility of older LGBTI people.Val’s works directly with service providersto foster an understanding of the historiesand experiences of older LGBTI peopleand how these may impact access tosupport services. Val’s aims to createsafe and inclusive aged care and healthservices that recognise and value olderLGBTI peopleCommonwealth GovernmentDepartment of Social ServicesIn early 2017, the Commonwealthannounced a 12-month extension offunding for the delivery of the nationalLGBTI aged care training. The trainingis managed by the National LGBTIHealth Alliance and will be delivered inVictoria by Val’s@GLHV and TransgenderVictoria to a mix of rural, regional andmetropolitan aged and community careservices across the state.Policing for Same-sexAttracted and Sex andGender Diverse (SSASGD)Young VictoriansHealthy Equal Youth(HEY) Project: A VictorianSame-Sex Attracted andSex and Gender Diverse(SSASGD) Youth SuicidePrevention InitiativeVictorian Government Departmentof Health and Human ServicesJami Jones, William LeonardThe HEY Project consists of a consortiumof nine place-based and seven statewide partners and aims to improve themental wellbeing of SSASGD youngVictorians. In 2016 management of HEYpassed to the Youth Affairs Council ofVictoria (YACVic), but GLHV continues toprovide strategic advice to the VictorianGovernment, YACVic and HEY Partners.Victoria PoliceRainbow NetworkWilliam Leonard, Bianca Fileborn(University of New South Wales)Victorian Government Departmentof Health and Human ServicesThis project aims to improve VictoriaPolice’s (VicPol) engagement withSSASGD young people. It involves statewide surveys of police and SSASGDyoung people attitudes, as well as focusgroups and interviews in three regionallocations, to gain a better understandingof the interactions between VicPol andSSASGD young people.Jami Jones, William LeonardDecision-MakingPrinciples for the Careof Infants, Childrenand Adolescents withIntersex VariationsVictorian Government Departmentof Health and Human ServicesTiffany Jones, William LeonardThis study explores Australian serviceprovision for infants, children andadolescents with intersex variations usingexisting research, key informant interviewsand discourse analysis. It considersthe existence and usefulness of serviceprovision and ideas and assumptionsabout people with intersex variationsinfluencing existing services and deliverytowards developing appropriate decisionmaking principles.Rainbow Network is a state-wide Victoriansupport and capacity building network foranyone working with LGBTI young people.It provides training, resources, a monthlye-bulletin, secondary consultations andprofessional supervision to individuals andorganisations that work with and on behalfof LGBTI young people.Safe SchoolsCoalition VictoriaVictorian Government Departmentof Education and TrainingRoz Ward, Joel Radcliffe,Melanie Gaylard, Matthew ParsonsThis project was aimed at reducinghomophobia and transphobia, andincreasing the support for gender andsexual diversity in Victorian schools.In 2017 the Department of Educationand Training took over direct deliveryof the program.A R C S H S A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1713

Primary Prevention ofFamily Violence againstLGBTI Communities:Literature Review andData AnalysisPreventing Harm,Promoting Justice:Legal Responsesto ‘Gay Conversion’TherapyVictorian Government Departmentof Premier and CabinetLa Trobe Transforming HumanSocieties Research Focus AreaYvonne Lay (Our Watch), PhilomenaHorsley, William Leonard, MatthewParsonsTimothy Jones (La Trobe University),William Leonard, Anna Brown and LeeCarnie (Human Rights Law Centre)GLHV partnered on this project toproduce a report outlining research andgrey literature on the prevention of LGBTIfamily violence, including the drivers ofLGBTI family violence, best practicemodels for the prevention of LGBTI familyviolence, gaps in the evidence base andareas of further research.This project explores the history,prevalence and nature of the ex-gaymovement in Australia. Ex-gay therapy isa counselling practise aimed at makinglesbian and gay people straight, or, at thevery least, assisting them repress theirsame-sex attractions. In partnershipwith the Human Rights Law Centre, theproject will provide evidence to determinethe need for legislative or other measuresto inform regulatory and legal reformappropriate to Australia.LGBTI Family ViolenceTraining ModuleVictorian Government Departmentof Premier and CabinetWilliam Leonard, Matt Parsons,Philomena HorsleyThe Victorian Government engagedGLHV to develop a 3 to 5 hour LGBTIfamily violence training module. Themodule will be finalised by mid-2018 anddelivered to frontline staff in all Victorianfamily violence organisations over thefollowing two years.14LA TROBE UNIVERSITYResearch on LGBTIExperiences of Disaster andEmergency ManagementVictorian Government Departmentof Premier and CabinetDeb Parkinson and Judy Jeffreys(Women’s Health in the North),William LeonardThe project looks at the experiences ofLGBTI people living through a disaster andthe response from the emergencymanagement sector. It aims to assistemergency management services be moreaware of and responsive to the needs ofLGBTI people.OUT in the CALD:Promoting CulturallyDiverse, LGBTIinclusive ServicesVictorian Government Departmentof Premier and CabinetWilliam Leonard, Sunil Patel, VictorianTranscultural Mental Health (VTMH)GLHV, in partnership with VTMH, willbe developing information and trainingresources for agencies that providehealth-related services to LGBTI peopleaffiliated with faith-based and multiculturalcommunities. The project is fundedthrough the Victorian Government’sCommunity Harmony Grants Program.The Experiences ofLGBTI People Livingwith DisabilitiesGay and Lesbian Foundation ofAustralia (GALFA)Rose Mann, William LeonardThis project involves a literature review ofthe effect of discrimination, disadvantageand social inclusion on the health andwellbeing of LGBTI people with disabilities,and analyses of two large nationalsurveys, one of sexual minority women,the other of LGBT people, that includequestions on disability. The report willprovide the basis for Stage 3 of theproject that aims to develop guidelinesfor the inclusion of LGBTI issues in thedevelopment of disability services,training and policy.

Developing an LGBTISafe Housing Network toPrevent Homelessnessand Build SocialConnection and ResilienceMapping the Needs andExperiences of LGBTIPeople against SustainableDevelopment Goal 3:The Right to HealthCluster Analysis of Datafrom HIV Futures 8Victorian Health FoundationMen who have Sex with Men GlobalForumAdvances in medical treatment are drivingmajor changes in HIV policy and practice,including increasing and maintaininguptake of antiretroviral treatment (ART)to above 90% of diagnosed people livingwith HIV. While Australia already hasa high level of ART use among PLHIV,long-term maintenance requires betterunderstanding of clinical needs of hardto-reach and vulnerable subgroups,and ensuring that those needs areaddressed. The aim of the project is toidentify subgroups of PLHIV in Australiawith different health status and differingcapacity to access clinical services.Ruth McNair and Cal Andrews(University of Melbourne)

a cocktail party, numerous oral and poster presentations featuring our work, and our very own Associate Professor Adam Bourne giving the opening plenary address. GLHV and Val's LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care hosted the 3rd National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Conference in October, featuring keynote speeches from Professors Gillian Triggs and