Learn More About Sexual Assault Against the LGBTQ Community
2 out of 3 sexual assaults in the general population go unreported.
For the LGBTQ community, those numbers are even higher because: we live in a rape culture defined by homo/bi/transphobias and erasure, sexism, racism, fear of being outed, police brutality, criminalization of substance use, mistreatment and discrimination from healthcare providers and law enforcement, and a fear of not being believed, or actually not being believed…
LGBTQ people experience sexual violence at an alarming rate
- 1 in 2 bisexual women have been raped
- 1 in 8 lesbian women have been raped
- 2 out of 3 sexual assaults go unnoticed
- 65% of transgender folks report experiencing sexual assault
- 40% of gay men have experienced sexual violence other than rape
- 47% of bisexual men have experienced sexual violence other than rape
- 9% of transgender and gender nonconforming survivors reported the assault to police
What is Consent?
CONSENT IS:
- Enthusiastic. Sex should be exciting and fun. If you’re not into it, you don’t have to do it.
- Constant. Consent is an ongoing process. Agreeing to one thing at one time does not mean that you have to agree to the next.
- Negotiable. Your partner or partners should be checking in before trying new things. If something does not feel right, if you have questions, or if you want to pause, you have the right to say so and your partners have the responsibility to listen.
- Fluid. Consent changes with the context. Doing something with one person does not mean you want to do it with another.
CONSENT IS NOT:
- Permanent. A “yes” today does not mean a “yes” tomorrow.
- Universal. Consenting to one action does not mean you consent to another.
- Assumed. Not saying “no” is not the same as saying “yes.”
- Under the influence. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol interferes with a person’s ability to provide consent.
REMEMBER:
Consent is an ONGOING process that should be CLEAR for EVERY partner at all stages of a sexual encounter.
A lack of “no” DOES NOT mean the presence of “yes.”
Sources:
James, S. E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality
Walters, M.L., Chen J., & Breiding, M.J. (2013). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Forge. Trans sexual violence survey results. Available at: http://forge-forward.org/anti-violence/sexual-violence-research/