Support for LGBTI Community

One in four gay or transgender Scots is regularly subjected to sexual violence.

Rape Crisis Scotland says victims are often reluctant to come forward and speak out due to to fear of further humilitation.

A national helpline, aimed specifically at the LGBTI community, will launch tomorrow.

Rape Crisis Scotland National Co-ordinator, Sandy Brindley said: "We know that LGBTI survivors can experience unique stresses following sexual violence, which can make it even more difficult to report what has happened to them or to come forward and seek help. With our new resources and helpline service, Rape Crisis Scotland is taking proactive steps to overcome these barriers, and we want to highlight the fact that our support is fully
inclusive, and able to respond to all survivors, whatever their gender identity or sexual orientation."

The new service will operate on Mondays and Thursdays between 7pm and midnight. The number to call is 08088 01 03 02.

Rape Crisis Scotland has also produced a new resource for LGBTI survivors, which will be available in both print and digital formats. This new leaflet, which was developed in consultation with LGBTI survivors and partner organisations Scottish Transgender Alliance, LGBT Youth Scotland, and LGBT Health & Wellbeing, outlines in detail the particular challenges LGBTI survivors may face, and also gives information on what they can expect if they seek support from Rape Crisis Scotland.

The new LGBTI resource is the first of its kind in Scotland.The new service and resource are among many steps Rape Crisis Scotland is currently taking as it works towards receiving an LGBT Charter Mark, an indication that an organisation has trained staff and put in place all necessary steps to ensure that its services and resources are fully inclusive and able to respond sensitively and appropriately to the needs of the LGBTI community.

James Morton of Scottish Transgender Alliance said: "Rape Crisis Scotland's new resource and helpline service are really important ways of reassuring LGBTI people that they will receive inclusive and empathetic support. Our research indicates that trans people are at particular risk of sexual assault as a form of transphobic hate crime and often fear further humiliation if they seek help. Intersex people are born with physical bodies which are not clearly male or female and are at particular risk of childhood abuse trauma from coercive medical interventions on their genitals.

"Feelings of shame about having bodies which vary from societal expectations can hinder intersex people from seeking help. Rape Crisis Scotland's work demonstrating their awareness of these issues will hopefully encourage more survivors to reach out for support."

Brandi-Lee Lough Dennell of LGBT Youth Scotland said: "LGBT Youth Scotland welcomes the publication of the LGBTI Survivors of Sexual Violence resource. Since lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are often missing from public messages on abuse and violence, they may not recognise their experiences as abusive. This resource includes important information on concerns relevant to LGBT people and makes it clear to those who have experienced sexual violence that they will be understood and supported."