20 July 2025: People in rainbow communities experience disproportionately higher rates of family and partner violence and abuse.

Sandra Dickson is a researcher and community development practitioner with 30 years’ experience in Rainbow communities and family and sexual violence. She is a cofounder of Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura, a community organisation focused on building Takatāpui and Rainbow communities without all forms of violence. 

She also has a personal story of being the victim of partner abuse, starting with emotional and psychological abuse, then transitioning into physical abuse.

She shares her journey of recovering her sense of self after leaving the relationship and going onto advocate for other LGBQT in abusive relationships with counsellor Mick Andrews and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald.

With thanks to NZ on Air.

LISTEN ABOVE