LGBTQ Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault face added barriers to getting the support and services they need, including:

  • Not being taken seriously or having their experience minimized.rainbow-ribbon
  • Not having their experience labeled as sexual assault or rape.
  • Having to educate those who want to provide support.
  • Being treated in a homophobic or transphobic manner by the criminal justice system, crisis intervention staff and/or others.
  • Having their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status discuss or revealed without consent.
  • Concern they are betraying the community by accusing another LGBTQ person of sexual assault.
  • Being blamed for the assault based on their appearance or gender presentation (transgender victims especially).