By: Elena Santana, Crisis Advocate
When you picture Pride, you may imagine rainbows, parades, and big smiles. Sometimes, we forget that Pride is more than just a celebration, it is a movement for equity for the LGBTQ+ community. SACASA celebrates and would like to educate on equitable care for survivors of sexual violence.
Sexual assault can impact anyone, regardless of race, creed, gender or sexuality. However, as community providers, it is important to recognize that LGBTQ+ individuals experience sexual violence at similar or higher rates than straight individuals.
Why might this happen?
Rape is about power and control. Due to marginalization, LGBTQ+ individuals can be considered more vulnerable. LGBTQ+ individuals are at higher risk for poverty, physical violence, and mental health disorders. Statistics show that:
- 44% of lesbians & 61% of bisexual women vs 35% of straight women experience some form of sexual violence.
- 26% of gay & 37% of bisexual men vs 29% of straight men experience some form of sexual violence.
- 47% of transgender people are sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetime.
SACASA strives to provide equitable and inclusive care. We provide individual and group therapy services to anyone that identifies as a survivor or secondary survivor of sexual violence. With that, we practice gender-inclusive language and create safe places for all individuals. We advocate for LGBTQ+ survivors if systems may fall short of supplying support. We empower survivors, and we want them to have pride.
Sexual Assault and the LGBTQ Community - Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org)