LGBT+
There are many myths surrounding the sexual abuse in the LGBT+ community which can act as a barrier for people wanting to access support and can be incredibly harmful for survivors. We are working hard to raise awareness around the abuse and to challenge these myths in everything that we do….
Only gay men and boys are sexually abused.
Fact: Sexual abuse can happen to heterosexual, gay and bisexual men and boys and people who identify as non-binary or trans men. Being sexually abused has nothing to do with your current or future sexual or gender identity. (https://rsvporg.co.uk/)
Male abusers who sexually assault men and boys must be gay.
Fact: Sexual assault is not about lust, desire, sexual attraction or sexual orientation of the abuser. It is about violence, power and control over another person.
A rape or sexual assault will change a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
Fact: Sexual abuse can happen to anyone and has no bearing on your current or future sexual orientation or gender identity.
Sexual abuse will also not make a gay person straight. The term ‘corrective rape’ or ‘curative rape’ is a crime where the perpetrator claims the offence was committed in order to ‘make the victim heterosexual’. Rape does not affect sexuality or gender identity.
“I deserve to be sexually assaulted or abused because I’m trans.”
Fact: No-one deserves to be sexually assaulted. Whether you’re transitioning, ‘coming out’ or entering a relationship where either or both partners are trans, it doesn’t make any difference. An abuser can manipulate their victim so that they feel to blame for their abuse. They may also use someone’s gender identity against them.
“Nobody wants to sexually assault a trans person.”
Fact: Anyone can be a victim of sexual violence. Common misconceptions are that sexual assault is primarily about sexual attraction. Rape and sexual assault are about power and control. Trans people can experience sexual violence regardless of the gender identity of either person.
“My gender identity/presentation caused the assault.”
Fact: It is your personal choice to appear how you want to, and when and how you disclose your gender identity to a sexual partner. Just because you don’t ‘out’ yourself to a sexual partner, doesn’t mean you deserve to be sexually assaulted.
“As someone who doesn’t fit into the gender binary, there are no services for me.”
Fact: Whilst there are no services specifically for non-binary victims of sexual abuse, SV2 offers support to everyone. Please see our Help & Support section for more details.
Sexual abuse doesn’t happen in intimate relationships among LGBT+ people
Fact: Sexual abuse happens in all types of relationships and the severity of the abuse is not dictated by the genders of those involved. Sexual abuse can be committed by and happen to people of all gender identities.
LGBT+ victims and survivors may deal with the added shame of being the target of sexual violence from someone in their own community. They may also minimise the sexual abuse they experienced, because of stereotypes that women are not capable of rape and that men cannot be raped.
Trans women use public toilets to assault cisgendered women
Fact: There is no evidence to support this myth and as we know, the vast majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim (not a stranger).
Switchboard – Confidential helpline run by LGBT+ people for LGBT+ people providing support and information.
GALOP is the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity. They work with LGBT+ survivors of abuse and violence, specialising in supporting survivors of domestic abuse, so-called ‘conversion’ therapies, hate crime, sexual abuse, forced marriage and honour-based abuse.
The Galop Helpline is here to offer you emotional support, provide information and can help you to explore your options, depending on your needs.
