LGBTQ youth face significant challenges in adolescence and typically must fight discrimination, misconceptions, and abuse from peers, family, and others.
- Lack of LGBTQ support within communities may increase an individuals risk for sex trafficking. Those who lack strong support may face financial strains, experience violence, or are marginalized by society. Up to 40% of homeless youth identify LGBTQ and 46% ran away from home because of family rejection.
- LGBTQ youth who are homeless are at an increased risk to experience sexual violence. When compared to heterosexual peers, these youth are 7.4x more likely to experience acts of sexual violence and 3 – 7x more likely to engage in survival sex to meet basic needs like food, shelter, and toiletries.
- Transgender youth are most vulnerable to dating violence. Studies show 89% of individuals report physical violence, 61% report sexual coercion, and 59% report emotional abuse.
- LGBTQ youth experience disproportional rates of dating violence.
Experienced Abuse LGBTQ Youth Heterosexual Youth Physical Abuse 42% 29% Emotional Abuse 59% 46% Digital Harassment/Abuse 37% 26% - Homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism all contribute to negative experiences unique to LGBTQ relationships. Abusers may threaten to out an individual to family or friends, degrade their sexual orientation or gender identity (ie: stating an individual is “not a true lesbian”), or display actions that reinforce homophobic and transphobic mentalities.
Here For YOU
LGBTQ youth face a number of obstacles in seeking help when experiencing sexual or teen dating violence. The stigma surrounding those identifying as LGBTQ can lead to feelings of shame or embarrassment, the fear of not being believed, or individuals may fear retaliation. In addition, a lack of knowledge relating to teen dating violence or sexual violence can limit an individuals knowledge in available support options.
Albion stands with all individuals affected by sexual or domestic violence and will not discriminate based on age, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, etc. If you would like to speak with an advocate, call 812-422-9372.