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Supporting LGBTQ+ Survivors
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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.
3 reasons why writing to our helpline might work for you
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Reaching out to a helpline can be difficult. When you feel ready to take that step, there are lots of different ways to get in touch.
What is the Rape Crisis Scotland helpline?
We run a helpline for anyone aged 13+ affected by sexual violence, no matter what happened or how long ago. Helpline Support Workers offer initial, short-term, and crisis support, and can make referrals to your local Rape Crisis Centre for longer-term support.
The helpline is open daily from 5pm - midnight, 365 days a year. We support people of all genders, and can provide support and information to family, friends and supporters too.
5 Things You Need To Know About Our Helpline Webchat
Our national helpline provides initial and short-term support to anyone aged 13+ affected by sexual violence. No matter what happened or when, we’re here.
1. What is it?
After a successful pilot, we have permanently added a webchat support service to our national helpline, giving anyone thinking of reaching out to us a new way to get in touch.
A Letter From A Survivor
Below is a letter - shared with the consent of a helpline caller - received by Rape Crisis Scotland, shared in the hope it may encourage others to reach out for support.
"Over the past wee while, I’ve reflected a lot on the conversations we’ve had and really want to express just how substantial your impact has been.
I often wonder if things would be different, more so easier now, had I sought out support earlier. I don’t think I was in the right headspace to address what had happened though. Past reactions had been so negative that my perception, surrounding these experiences, was distorted. An unhelpful narrative had been set, making trusting others, even those with good intentions, impossible. Strangely, in spite of the many challenges lockdown has brought, I believe now was the right time for me to finally reach out.
Finding A Way Through - Some Thoughts From Our Helpline
Hello! It goes without saying that these are really difficult and disruptive times. This is not what we are used to, it’s a time of fear and uncertainty and a hotbed for anxiety – it’s okay if you don’t feel okay.
It’s also okay if you’ve not transformed into a yogi and banana bread enthusiast (it’s also okay if you have, magic!) and it’s completely normal to have good days and bad days and really truly terrible, dark days.
Remember, you are not alone.
Lots of calls to our helpline (which is still open 6pm – midnight every night on 08088 01 03 02) recently have talked about the impact of Covid-19 partly because right now looking after ourselves is a lot more challenging.
This situation is bringing up feelings of being trapped and of being out of our control, and many of the coping strategies we rely on are out the window. Home might not necessarily be or feel like a safe place for you.
If all of this is bringing stuff up for you, is triggering or disorientating please know that is completely normal. For most of us this is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before, so we don’t know how we are going to react. There is no right or wrong way, we just have to try and find *a way* through.
Be kind to yourself
Give yourself permission not to be hyper-productive or your best self. None of this is straightforward so it’s fine if you are feeling worse than last week or the week before. If you can’t give yourself a break during a global pandemic and national crisis, when can you?
Connection is super important right now so many of us are spending time on social media – which can be great but do keep in mind as you are scrolling through sourdough that by and large people are not posting the hard moments or the darker days. Don’t mistake having an internet connection for social connection, sometimes social media can actually make us feel lonelier. Reach out and check in with your people through Facetime and/or text.
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