Arizona Sexual Assault Network
501 (C) 3 nonprofit operating in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women.
1611 E. Warner Rd. Suite 4 Tempe, AZ 85284
Phone: 602-299-1251
501 (C) 3 nonprofit operating in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women.
1611 E. Warner Rd. Suite 4 Tempe, AZ 85284
Phone: 602-299-1251
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ARIZONA SEXUAL ASSAULT NETWORK
Inspire someone to seek help by
anonymously sharing your personal
experience surviving sexual assault.
Read Survivor Stories...
“Reducing the Threat of Sexual Violence”
Q&A’s
I’ve been assaulted what do I do?
How can I help someone who has been assaulted?
What feelings are associated with healing?
Why would someone commit sexual assault?
What is sexual offense by law in Arizona?
What are my responsibilities as a parent?
EDUCATION
MORE INFORMATION
LGBT and Sexual Assault
Sexual assaults happen to and are committed by, people of all sexual orientations. Regrettably there is a lack of research on the prevalence of rape in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community. This may be because of the fears faced by the LGBT community to report assaults.
In 1990 a study that was published in Psychological Reports concluded that 31% of lesbians and 12% of gay men had been raped. This study did not explain the type of relationship in which the rape occurred. Another study reported that 52% of the LGBT people had been raped by an individual of the same gender. This same study found that gay men reported 1.6 incidents per person on average; in comparison to the 1.2 incidents per person reported by lesbians.
It is estimated that approximately 10% of hate crimes against members of the LGBT communities involve sexual assault. This figure may be higher, because individuals who were assaulted may be unsure if they were targeted because of their sexual orientation.
Due to homophobia in the United States, LGBT individuals are at a greater risk for sexual assaults by strangers than those who are heterosexual. Perpetrators frequently use sexual assaults against LGBT individuals (and individuals perceived to be LGBT) to punish and humiliate them. This can be seen when an individual believes that they can “change” a woman’s sexual orientation by specifically targeting lesbian and bisexual women for sexual assaults.
Sexual assaults happen to and are committed by, people of all sexual orientations. Regrettably there is a lack of research on the prevalence of rape in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community. This may be because of the fears faced by the LGBT community to report assaults.
In 1990 a study that was published in Psychological Reports concluded that 31% of lesbians and 12% of gay men had been raped. This study did not explain the type of relationship in which the rape occurred. Another study reported that 52% of the LGBT people had been raped by an individual of the same gender. This same study found that gay men reported 1.6 incidents per person on average; in comparison to the 1.2 incidents per person reported by lesbians.
It is estimated that approximately 10% of hate crimes against members of the LGBT communities involve sexual assault. This figure may be higher, because individuals who were assaulted may be unsure if they were targeted because of their sexual orientation.
Due to homophobia in the United States, LGBT individuals are at a greater risk for sexual assaults by strangers than those who are heterosexual. Perpetrators frequently use sexual assaults against LGBT individuals (and individuals perceived to be LGBT) to punish and humiliate them. This can be seen when an individual believes that they can “change” a woman’s sexual orientation by specifically targeting lesbian and bisexual women for sexual assaults.
Issues regarding sexual assault that are unique to the LGBT community:
• 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 sexual assault within the LGBT community, it may make silence appear 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 (which are common symptoms of all survivors) may lead to questioning one’s sexual identity and sexuality.
• One’s own internalized homophobia may further complicate the complexities of sexual assault.
• Gay/bi male survivors may be apprehensive to report for fear of being ignored and/or rejected as overly sensitive due to the stereotype that they are promiscuous and invited assault upon themselves.
• Lesbian/bi women survivors may face being ignored or having their claims discarded if their attacker is a female because women are not socially seen as perpetrators.
Reference:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Sexual Violence, UMM Violence Prevention Center Wellness Center
