Sexual assault in the LBGTQ community

Home Sexual Assault Sexual assault in the LBGTQ community

Sexual Assault in the LGBTQ Community

Sexual Assault does not discriminate. Survivors who are not “out” may find sharing and/or reporting the sexual assault especially difficult.

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We Can Help

  • 24-Hour Crisis Line
  • Legal and medical advocacy
  • Counseling
  • Legal and medical advocacy
  • Accompaniment to hospitals, law enforcement agencies, court proceedings, etc.
  • Information and referral
  • Prevention and community education
  • Counseling and education for the victim’s loved ones.

 

Issues Unique to LGBTQ Victims of Sexual Assault

  • Survivors who are not ‘out’ may find sharing and/or reporting the sexual assault difficult or impossible.
  • Due to the lack of awareness of same-sex assault, it may seem silence is the only option.
  • If the survivor’s community is small, the fear of other’s skepticism and/or people ‘taking sides’ may cause the survivor to keep silent.
  • Guilt and self-blame (common among survivors) may lead to questioning one’s sexual identity or sexuality.
  • One's own internalized homophobia may further complicate the complexities of sexual assault.
  • Gay/bi male survivors may be apprehensive to report and fear being ignored or rejected as overly sensitive due to the stereotype that they are promiscuous.
  • Lesbian/bi women survivors may face being ignored or having their claims discarded if their attacker is a female because women are not seen as sexual perpetrators.