March 4, 2025 – Peak women’s, disability and LGBTIQ+ groups have joined forces to call on the Victorian Upper House to pass the state’s first ever protections for their communities against hate speech.
The letter to Victorian parliamentarians was signed by 23 organisations, including Women’s Health Victoria, Gender Equity Victoria, Women with Disabilities Victoria,
People With Disability Australia (PWDA) and Equality Australia.
The letter pointed to a rise in the targeting of vulnerable communities by extremist groups such as the neo-Nazis who called for the destruction of trans people on the steps of Victorian Parliament, women targeted with rape threats and image-based abuse online and people with disability being abused in public.
“While vilification has been unlawful on the grounds of race and religion for over 20 years, the law has failed to extend these same protections to our respective communities,” the letter states.
“Women, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability continue to face harassment, threats and abuse and there is clear evidence of rising hate speech directed against us.”
The Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill expands the state's hate speech laws to protect people if they are vilified based on disability, gender identity, sex, sex characteristics or sexual orientation.
CEO Gender Equity Victoria Micaela Drieberg:
“Women have a right to feel safe and respected and to be able to take part in public life without fear. Victorian MPs have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create real, lasting change for women in our state.
“Women continue to make up the overwhelming number of victims of online abuse and violence. Unrelenting trolling and bullying causes physical, psychological and emotional harm.
“Later this week we will celebrate International Women’s Day and there is no better time to hold this hate to account, prevent its spread and stop it from escalating into acts of real-world violence.”
CEO Women’s Health Victoria Sally Hasler:
“Women and gender diverse people are the main targets of gender-based violence, yet we don't have sufficient protection from hate speech under Victorian law.
“This important new Bill will protect some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people from hate speech – recognising that all Victorians deserve to feel safe and respected in society”
Disability Advocacy Network Australia Deputy CEO El Gibbs:
“Far too many people with disability face abuse and violence in public from other community members, and this needs to end.
“The Disability Royal Commission showed how widespread this hate speech is, hearing from disabled people directly. Increased protections from hate speech are vital to ending violence against us.”
Women with Disabilities Victoria, Acting CEO Julie Kun:
“There is no place for hate and prejudice in Victoria. We welcome Victoria's anti-vilification laws being expanded to include protection for women, people with disabilities and members of the LBGTIQA+ plus community. “
Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown:
“LGBTIQ+ people are no strangers to hate - including brutal bashings, verbal slurs and online bullying - and we know full well what it’s like to fear for our safety.
“These protections, which are long overdue, recognise that all Victorians deserve to be protected from hate and bigotry and that preventing acts of violence starts with stopping words of hate.
“Any community or vulnerable minority that is being targeted by hate and violence should be protected under our law.”
CEO Transgender Victoria Son Vivienne:
"Transgender Victoria applauds the impending passage of the long-awaited Anti-Vilification Bill through Victorian parliament.
“We recognise the importance of nuanced considerations, including the 'reasonable person from the targeted group' standard for assessing hate speech. However, we stress that true progress hinges on building widespread public understanding of the lived reality of vilification.
“This requires ongoing, robust public education that empowers all Victorians, including targeted groups, law enforcement, and those engaged in protest to recognise and address harmful speech, fostering a society built on mutual regard.”
Women’s organisations
Women’s Health Victoria
Gender Equity Victoria
YWCA Australia
Chief Executive Women
Disability organisations
Women with Disabilities Victoria
Women with Disabilities Australia
Disability Leadership Institute
Disability Discrimination Legal Service
Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service
Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA)
Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)
People With Disability Australia (PWDA)
Disability Resources Centre
LGBTIQ+ organisations
Thorne Harbour Health
Transgender Victoria
Rainbow Families
Rainbow Local Government
Minus18 Foundation
InterAction for Health and Human Rights
Equality Australia
Transcend
Switchboard Victoria
Pride Cup
Disability Advocacy Victoria
Contact: Tara Ravens, 0408 898 154, tara.ravens@equalityaustralia.org.au, Emily Mulligan, 0411 207 633, emily.mulligan@equalityaustralia.org.au
