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Supporting LGBTQ+ Survivors

Reaching out to a helpline can be difficult for anyone, and we know that LGBTQ+ survivors can face additional barriers to support which can make reaching out that bit harder.

The Rape Crisis Scotland helpline supports survivors of all genders and sexualities. Every person that contacts our helpline, regardless of their background or identity, is met with specialised support tailored to their individual needs.

We're proud to be inclusive, and we want all survivors to know that our helpline is a safe space. We spoke with Annie and Rona, two Support Workers from our helpline team, to find out what they want LGBTQ+ survivors to know.

How do you create a safe space for LGBTQ+ survivors?

Annie: We don’t make assumptions about any survivors, and that includes assumptions about their gender and sexuality, the gender of their partner and the nature of the assault. We let survivors lead and we just ask for as much information as we need to be able to support them.

Rona: We always follow a survivor’s lead on language and if somebody mentions their gender, we will ask them if they would feel comfortable sharing their pronouns, and that can help. It seems like a tiny thing but it can be huge, and it can really create that safe space just by asking that. I definitely have had the experience of asking someone their pronouns and you can almost feel the comfort that we are meeting them where they’re at.

Annie: We also have training in supporting LGBTQ+ survivors, so we have an understanding of the specific barriers that can come up and we have sensitivity to that.

Annie: Sexual violence can impact all areas of your life, and survivors will contact us to discuss how it has affected their relationships, sex life or sexuality. The helpline is a safe space to talk about sexuality and we’re trained to talk about it.