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Support for LGBTI Survivors

At Moray Rape Crisis, we support people of any gender, sexuality, race, disability & cultural and religious background. No matter when the abuse took place - recently or in the past - we can support you.

Anyone can experience sexual violence no matter your gender or the gender of the perpetrator. Being sexually abused has nothing to do with your sexual orientation or gender identity. Sexual violence happens because of who the abuser is - not who you are.

If you are LGBTI, there may be some unique stresses, threats or barriers which make it difficult for you to tell anyone what happened, to ask for help, and to be safe from further abuse. Some examples of these fears are:

  • Fear of, or actually experiencing homophobia, bi-phobia or transphobia from services or individuals you tell or seek support from;
  • Feeling that not only do you have to ‘come out’ if you say what’s happened but you may have to ‘educate’, or challenge the beliefs of, the person you are speaking to
  • Fear of being ‘outed’ by the abuser to friends, family or employers;
  • Concerns for physical safety if the sexual assault was part of a homophobic, biphobic or transphobic attack;
  • Feeling powerless or controlled by the abuser in ways that are directly related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression
  • Thinking or being told that the sexual violence in some way invalidates your identity or is the result of ‘maladaptive’ sexuality (for example if you were sexually abused as a child)
  • Not realising that men can be raped or that women can commit sexual assault
  • Not wanting to go for medical treatment because you do not want to reveal body parts
  • If intersex and had medical procedures done to you in childhood without consent, you may be reluctant to have medical examinations or treatment
  • Concerns that talking about the sexual violence means coming out as LGBTI and not wanting or feeling able to do that; for example, this may include young people who feel they cannot tell their parents about the violence or people who belong to a faith group which does not approve of them being LGBTI
  • Not wanting to risk losing connection to the social community of LGBTI people in which everyone may know them and the abuser
  • Not knowing which service to turn to or which services support LGBTI people

Perpetrators of abuse look for ways to isolate and control their victims, and to exploit their victims’ vulnerabilities. The person who violated you may have used myths and prejudices about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression against you.

We understand the fears and concerns you may have. These fears are understandable and we can listen to you and discuss these fears with you.

If you have experienced sexual violence, you are not to blame. The person who harmed you is responsible. We are here to believe you, to listen to you and to support you.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO HEAL FROM SEXUAL VIOLENCE. MORAY RAPE CRISIS CAN HELP WITH THIS

If you are a member of the LGBTI community affected by sexual violence, you are not alone. You can contact us for support by phone on 01343 550407 or email at contact@morayrapecrisis.scot. We will listen to what you say, believe you, and treat you with respect.

You can also contact the Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline, each day from 5pm to midnight, on 08088 010302, or by texting 07537 410027 or emailing support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk.

Rape Crisis Scotland also offer an LGBTI specific service from 7pm to midnight on Mondays and Thursdays.

More information for LGBTI Survivors of Sexual Violence can be found in this booklet published by Rape Crisis Scotland: https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/resources/lgbti.pdf

We have a list of LGBTI specific support services on another page on our website. You can access that page here.

lgbt charter mark silver award logo

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve been awarded the LGBT Charter Mark Gold Award. We’ve worked hard this year to increase our reach and accessibility to LGBT survivors of sexual violence. Our work doesn’t stop there though. We are committed to continuing to support, campaign and advocate for the rights of LGBT people in Moray.

 

 

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