An anti-abuse charity is launching the UK's first-ever dedicated helping to support LGBT+ victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
Ahead of Sexual Violence Awareness Week, February 6 - 12, LGBT+ charity, Galop, conducted research which showed that over half - 53%- of LGBT+ people in the UK have been subjected to sexual violence in their lives. It also highlighted how over half of LGBT+ sexual violence survivors surveyed felt that their assault was wholly, or in part, linked to or motivated by their LGBT+ identity.
The charity claims they also uncovered that survivors who sought support from services which weren’t LGBT+ specific often had bad experiences, with only 22% being satisfied by their experience of reporting what happened to them.
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One LGBT+ survivor of sexual violence told Galop about their experience of accessing mainstream support: “After the judgmental response I never went back and I haven’t accessed any support since then.” Whereas another said: "There were a few times I felt like I was speaking a foreign language and had to explain some really basic stuff.”
LGBT+ survivors of sexual assault also disclosed feeling like their experiences were linked to their LGBT+ identity, with one adding: “I was raped and beaten as a teenager and he verbally abused me through homosexual slurs and blamed my sexuality for his actions.”
Specialist LGBT+ services are "incredibly important (as) survivors need a safe and understanding space where they can seek help knowing they’ll be supported and understood, without fear of anti-LGBT+ discrimination, negative experiences or the risk of being ‘outed’."
LGBT rights activist, Lord Michael Cashman CBE, said: “Over the last decade, sexual abuse and the impact it can have on a person has received more awareness than ever before. Yet, the queer community have largely been invisible in these conversations. With that in mind, the launch of a helpline run specifically for LGBT+ people is groundbreaking.
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"I am personally reassured that any LGBT+ person facing this kind of abuse will now be able to access this much-needed support. When you've been through something as traumatic as sexual violence, the help you receive should be centred not only around understanding what you've been through but also on knowledge and compassion for your identity and all the aspects of yourself that make you who you are.”
Leni Morris, CEO of LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop, said: “The launch of the rape and sexual abuse helpline is a historic step forward in providing specialist support for our community. We want LGBT+ victims and survivors to know that we’re here, we understand what you’re going through and help is available.
"Any LGBT+ survivor calling us can be confident that their call will be answered by a fellow LGBT+ person, who is trained and experienced in working with survivors of abuse and violence. Our community has gone too long without this kind of nationally available support - that changes today.”
Galop’s helpline is available Monday – Thursday 10 am – 8:30 pm, and Friday 10 am – 4:30 pm.
Contact the Helpline by phone on 0800 999 5428 or via email help@galop.org.uk.
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