Ben Bjarnesen BM

Ben Bjarnesen is a passionate educator, campaigner and speaker who believes that all people no matter what their sexuality or gender identity is, deserve the right to live a life free from domestic violence and abuse (DV). 

Ben became a fierce advocate for improved services for LGBTQ victims and survivors of DV after discovering an incredible gap in services after himself experiencing abuse within a same-sex relationship. 

Ben is a 2016 Churchill Fellow who travelled to the USA, Canada, UK and the Netherlands where he explored best practice solutions for Police Departments to enhance the way in which they respond to domestic violence in LGBTQ communities, revealing the critical need to have LGBTQ inclusive and accessible support services.  He has since been actively involved in advising government and non-government organisations around Australia on a range of initiatives designed to improve service delivery to LGBTQ communities.

Ben is a former Police Officer of the Queensland Police Service, is on the Board of Directors for DVConnect Ltd and is involved with various other not-for-profit organisations.  

In May 2020 he founded the inaugural LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day which aims to bring a greater awareness of domestic violence and abuse which occurs in these communities in an effort to ensure that in the future there are no more invisible victims.

Ben is an awarded educator and campaigner and in 2020 was one of 12 people nominated for the Queenslander of the Year awards. He also had the honour of being inducted into the inaugural Queensland Government Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Honour Roll.