Now more than ever, at this time of rapid change, with complex pressures and competing demands in our world, there are more opportunities to connect as never before. However, with these possibilities and opportunities also come both enduring and emergent forms of risk and danger that are important to consider.

GRSD communities, due to their unique histories and diverse subcultures, continue to be exposed to significant forms of prejudice, violence and victimisation.

In response to the current climate of increased polarization and marginalisation across the globe, this module has been prepared to address a need to gain awareness of risk for GSRD people and their allies, to learn effective strategies to adapt and manage risk, and to consider personal protection and community safety. 

This 15-hour CPD Module offers you the opportunity to:

  • Gain awareness into the variety, prevalence and impact of harassment and victimisation experienced GSRD people.
  • Understand the common and additional unique risk factors for GSRD people, as they are often exposed to and experience violence.
  • Develop insight and skill to be better equipped to clinically support GSRD people that experience many types of victimisation.
  • Assist clients to explore a larger context, include affirming connections in their respective communities, relational and personal resilience and personal acceptance and growth.
  • Support clients to link to a range of culturally appropriate resources and protective information.

Objectives of this Module: 

  • Gain a better understanding of a range of external risks faced by the GSRD communities.
  • Including an awareness of Hate Crime and other forms of targeted aggression.
  • Insight into stalking behaviour and interpersonal violence in a GSRD context.
  • Increase awareness of Cyber Safety.
  • Increase knowledge of specific risks faced by vulnerable GSRD populations and intersectional considerations.
  • Gain awareness for internal risks such as Internalised Homo/Trans/Phobias and the relationship with mental health and trauma.
  • Be able to recognise and acknowledge the past to understand GSRD history and the impact of intergenerational and collective traumas and minority stress.
  • Gain awareness and protective strategies for external, interpersonal and individual levels of risk and violence and interactions with the law and police.
  • Access some risk mitigation strategies and be able to assist with the development of safety goals.

You will receive a Certificate of Study worth 15 hours CPD credit from Pink Therapy if you submit and pass a tutor-marked assignment.


About the Author:

Lisa O'Connor (she/they); Registered Psychologist. MSc OCC Psych, Post Grad Dip Psych, Grad Dip Psych, BVA.

"I have worked for nine years as a crisis counsellor, and for the past 10 years in both private practice as a psychologist and with the public sector to provide strategic, clinical, and educational services that are both evidence-based and practical. My clinical experience and interest are focused in the following areas: Organisational Support, Single Incident, and Complex Trauma, Anxiety, Depression and Grief, Diverse Gender and Sexuality, Minority Stress, Gender and Sexually diverse Youth, Adults and their Families, Risk Mitigation, Cultural and Change Processes, Wellbeing and Workplace and Bullying, and Harassment Issues, recovery from Interpersonal violence and Sexual Assault. I also provided a range of psychological assessment services and also work in private practice to with a focus on trauma to support the GSRD communities and emergency service personal.

I have completed postgraduate studies in both Australia and the UK including an MSc in Organisational Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology at Sydney and Bond University, Australia. I was also part of the first cohort to complete a Postgraduate Diploma as part of the Pink Therapy Foundation Program in Gender, Sexual and Relational Diversities. I continue to engage in continuous learning and professional development.

I am active and engaged in professional development and collaboration with a range of relevant professionals associations and networks, that includes The Australian and New Zealand Professional Association for Transgender Health (AusPATH), The Australian Psychological Society, Asia Pacific Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (APATAP), and The EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA).

I also have lived experience as a GSRD person, a martial arts background and a passion for risk assessment, art, and meditation and skiing."

Purchase the course here.