Sexual
violence is just as prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community, with bisexual
women being one of the most at risk groups of experiencing rape and sexual
assault. You can find out more here. As a community, LGBTQ+
people face higher rates of poverty, stigma, and marginalisation, which puts
the community at greater risk of sexual assault. The LGBTQ+ community also
experience high rates of hate-motivated violence, which can include sexual
violence.
LGBTQ+ people face violence and sexual bullying due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender presentation. Homophobic and transphobic behaviour is defined as sexual violence. LGBTQ+ people are also more at risk of sexual violence due to the hyper-sexualisation of LGBTQ+ people, as well as through experiences of internalised homophobia, which can lead to intimate partner violence. If you are an LGBTQ+ person who has experienced sexual violence, you can find out more information about our support service here.
Some forms of sexual violence are experienced more or exclusively by LGBTQ+ people. One report found that 70% of LGBTQ+ people experienced sexual harassment at the workplace.
This report found the most common ways in which LGBTQ+ people experienced sexual harassment at work were:
- Inappropriate questioning about someone's sex life
- Sexual comments about someone’s sexual orientation
- Sexualised comments made about LGBTQ+ colleagues
- Sexual comments about gender identity
- Unwanted emails with pornographic or sexual content
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Unwanted sexual touching
- Rape and sexual assault (particularly for LGBTQ+ women)
The rates of LGBTQ+ persons experiencing sexual harassment at work increased significantly for Black and ethnic minority groups (BME) as well as for persons with disabilities.
The Rosey Project sees ending homophobia and transphobia as vital in preventing sexual violence towards the most marginalised in our communities!
If you want support specific to your sexual orientation or gender identity, you can visit the LGBT Youth Website.
