I am pleased and relieved the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court today issued an Intervention Order to protect me from a person that has been harassing and stalking me for the last 18 months.  The Intervention Order expires on 3 April 2018.

The accused person contacted me and the council offices many times over the last 18 months and repeatedly abused and threatened me. He also repeatedly abused me on my official FaceBook page and said things against me purely because he made assumptions about my sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.  His calls were so abusive I felt unsafe at council meetings and public events during my term as Mayor, resulting in the council administration and I reviewing ways to improve my personal safety.

In his calls the accused made many homophobic and transphobic comments and threatened to “get me”. No one should put up with that sort of inappropriate behaviour. There is no place for homophobia in society and the decision of court today shows people can do something about it.

As an Community Champion for the “Say ‘No’ To Homophobia Campaign”, I urge anyone experiencing harassment, bullying and other inappropriate behaviours based on their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity to speak out and seek support.

I thank Victoria Police for their assistance in this matter, in particular their Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers who were extremely supportive and brought this matter to the court.

The Intervention Order (see below) includes a number of conditions, including that he is not to:

1. Stalk the protected person;
2. Commit prohibited behaviour towards the protected person (including harassing);
3. Attempt to locate, follow the protected person or keeping the protected person under surveillance;
4. Publish on the internet, by email or other electronic communication any material about the protected person;
5. Contact or communicate with the protected person by any means;
6. Approach or remain within 5 metres of the protected person;
7. Go to or remain within 200 metres of or another place where the protected person lives or works; and
8. Get another person to do anything the respondent must not do under this order.
For more information about the Say ‘No’ to Homophobia Campaign (which includes Biphobia and Transphobia), visit www.notohomophobia.com.au

For more information about my life as an intersex person, visit www.briffa.org/about (in the “additional information” section)

Intervention Order BRIFFA 3Apr13 REDACTED