Hope for Men

Support for LGBTQIA+

LGBTQIA+ SupportLGBTQIA+ pride flags: LGBTQ+, LGBTQ + progress, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, trans, agender, and intersex


Important: Do not hesitate to get help if you are scared, or if you have any questions. 

Throughout our website, we mostly use the term “unwanted sexual experiences” to refer to all kinds of sexual experiences that did not involve your consent. These experiences can cause a variety of problems, regardless of when that experience took place. ‘Sexual violence’ is another term being more frequently used for essentially any unwanted sexual contact.


We hope these words are ok with you. But please use whatever language works to help you understand what happened. Only you can know what language works for you. And what works for you depends on who you are and what you need right now. 


Any type of unwanted sexual contact is a crime and is not in any way, shape or form your fault. You did not cause this to happen. If this is happening now or has happened in the past, talking to someone you trust can help you more than you can guess.


If you are a young person under 18 years old, please have a look at our Support for Young People page. And to find more specialized supports for people who identify as women, head to the Support for Women page.



TOPICS

Sexual violence and its impact

International Crisis & Emergency lines

International Directories of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services

  1. Global Directory: Africa, Asia, Americas, Europe, Oceania
  2. International Directory of Gender-based violence services

International Resources for LGBTQ Youth

🇩🇪Germany 

Berlin

🇬🇧United Kingdom  

🇺🇲USA

🇳🇿 New Zealand

🇦🇺 Australia




Sexual violence and its impact


Sexual violence affects people of every gender identity and sexual orientation. However, many LGBTQIA+ victims/survivors are targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, which is a hate crime. We know that people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ communities are significantly affected by sexual violence in their intimate partner relationships, and may also face different or additional challenges in accessing legal, medical, law enforcement or other resources than other populations. 


Below are some common reactions to experiencing sexual violence that both LGBTQIA+ survivors and others may experience. There is no right or wrong response — everyone is different and will be impacted in their own unique way. 


Survivors often experience psychological, emotional, and physical effects. These effects aren’t always easy to deal with, but with the right help and support they can be managed:

  1. mood changes, such as depression, 
  2. trauma responses like PTSD, flashbacks, 
  3. anxiety, panic attacks, 
  4. Eating disorders
  5. Sleep disorders 
  6. Substance abuse/misuse 
  7. changes in their sexual feelings and activity (some people become hyper-sexual, others may avoid sex altogether), 
  8. questions and/or fears around their sexual identity and/or orientation, 
  9. confusion sometimes in understanding ‘was it sexual assault/abuse?’ (especially if they couldn’t actually say no), 
  10. confusion when their body responds physically even though they didn’t consent (note: having flushed skin, fast breathing, having an erection, having an orgasm and/or ejaculating does not necessarily mean you consented— your body can react this way in times of great stress and fear. Many perpetrators will use this to convince you that ‘you wanted it’). 
  11. Fears around not being believed or they should have been able to stop it


As a bisexual, trans, and gay man you suffer through the same types of mental and physical trauma. But many may also blame their sexual orientation or themselves for the assault. And many gay, bisexual, and transgender assault victims commonly fear that they will receive disrespectful or hostile treatment from hospitals or other trauma treatment centers as a result of their orientation.  


This is where services that specifically work with LGBTQIA+ communities can offer additional and targeted support.


We’ll keep adding to this resource over time. If you have any suggestions or feedback, please let us know via our Contact us page, or by sending an email to: info@hopeformen.org. 



International Crisis & Emergency lines

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, are feeling suicidal or require urgent medical support. 

  1. International emergency services
  2. ‍International helplines
  3. International suicide hotlines 



International Directories of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services

Global Directory: Africa, Asia, Americas, Europe, Oceania:

  1. https://nomoredirectory.org/get-help/


International Directory of Gender-based violence services

  1.  Chayn’s global directory of LGBTQI+ resources, (helplines, organizations, and government services) that can support you.
  2. CHAYN: Chayn is a global nonprofit, run by survivors and allies from around the world, creating resources to support the healing of survivors of gender-based violence. 



International Resources for LGBTQ Youth

“No matter where you live, you can access www.TrevorSpace.org, a safe and secure social networking site for LGBTQ young people and their allies. The Trevor Project makes sure that the only people allowed on the site are ages 13 to 24, and no hate-speech, discrimination, or bullying of any kind are allowed. 


Please know that visiting TrevorSpace may leave a record on your computer or browser, just like any website does after you visit it. While The Trevor Project does everything we can to ensure TrevorSpace is a safe digital community, we hope that you also take steps to avoid dangerous or unsafe situations in your own area.”




Germany 🇩🇪

Berlin 

  1. MUT: Trauma help for men 
  2. Welcome to Schwulenberatung Berlin!
  3. Queer Refugees (en)
  4. LGBTQIA+resources




United Kingdom 🇬🇧


  1. LGBT+ people and sexual violence (pdf resource): https://survivorsgateway.london/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Galop-Gateway-Resource-web.pdf



USA 🇺🇲


  1. FORGE provides services to transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender non-binary victims of sexual assault, including, but not exclusively, trans men. 
  2. (FORGE-forward.org)
  3. Free and Confidential LGBTQ Domestic Violence Hotline
  4. How to Support LGBTQ Victims & Survivors of Sexual Violence (pdf): read online or download as a pdf.
  5. The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ young people. We provide information & support to LGBTQ young people 24/7, all year round.
  6. LGBTQ+ Survivors: Resources at RAINN
  7. LGBTQ+ Abuse and Homelessness - You are not alone (VA, USA)



New Zealand 🇳🇿

  1. Hohou te Rongo Kahukura - (charity preventing and responding to violence experienced by Takatāpui and Rainbow communities)


Australia 🇦🇺

The Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline (Formerly LGBTIQ+ Violence Service): call 1800 497 212

This service is for:

  1. Anyone in Australia who is from the LGBTQIA+ community who has recently or in the past experienced sexual domestic or family violence
  2. Family members, friends, and supporters of someone from the LGBTQIA+ community who has experienced sexual domestic, or family violence
  3. Others who may be impacted by violence targeted toward the LGBTQIA+ community, including professionals


DVConnect: Sexual Assault Helpline for the LGBTQIA+ Community Call 1800 010 120, 7.30am – 11.30pm, 7 days. You can choose to be anonymous. 

  1. Sexual assault and sexual violence can also happen outside of intimate relationships. Including by housemates, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, or strangers. No matter the situation, we will listen, believe, and support you to access the help and services you need to start on your healing journey.
  2. It doesn’t matter whether a sexual assault or abuse occurred recently or in the past. Or if you are unsure if what you have experienced is sexual assault or sexual abuse. Any person can call our Sexual Assault Helpline for confidential advice and support.


Helplines in Australia: 

  1. QLife - 1800 184 527 (3pm – Midnight) or online chat - provides anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral
  2. 1800 RESPECT - Call 1800 737 732 - Open 24 hrs a day to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic, or family violence, and abuse
  3. MensLine Australia - Call 1300 789 978 - A telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationships concerns
  4. Lifeline - Call 13 11 14 - a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services
  5. Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 - “provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live” through online or telephone support


Resources guide for LGBTQIA+ people:

  1. Rainbow Directory - A one-stop shop for finding “services, organizations, groups, and activities that are for, or inclusive of, LGBTQIA+ communities”
  2. Catalyst Foundation: Towards a Safe Place - A resource guide “for LGBTQIA+ communities to…inform at-risk individuals of available services and supports in relation to Domestic Violence and to increase awareness and understanding of Domestic Violence and its impact within LGBTQIA++ communities
  3. Booklet
  4. Contact list
  5. Say it Out Loud - “Say it Out Loud” encourages people from LGBTQIA+communities to start talking about our relationships and includes information, resources, and a directory of LGBTQIA+ services around Australia
  6. Trans Resource List - a list of local, Australia-wide, and international resources for the trans community from social groups to medical support services
  7. Another Closet (Sydney-based) - information on LGBTQIA+ domestic and family violence including a relationship checklist, advice, and support.
  8. Booklet
  9. Abuse Happens in Queer Relationships - an educational Medium Queertopia article that outlines the signs of intimate partner violence in LGBTQIA+ relationships 


India 🇮🇳

From the website called Orinam, founded in 2003, is an all-volunteer unregistered collective of LGBTIQA+ people and allies based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It functions as a support, cultural and activist space. (Orinam.net)


Bangalore

  1. Parivarthan Counselling, Training and Research Centre is willing to offer group therapy for survivors of sexual assault, provided there are 6-8 participants. Please contact mahesh@innersight.in for more information
  2. InnerSight Counseling – contact at +91-80-4164-9080 or email counsellors@innersight.in 
  3. Vimochana: Forum for Women’s Rights, has numerous services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence, such as emotional and legal support, direct intervention, facilitating negotiated settlements and providing shelter, through their Angala crisis centre and Kuteera shelter for survivors of violence
  4. EnFold offers many child safety services including help for survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
  5. Viveka Centre for Emotional Support: Marital and Inter-personal relationships, Loss and Grief, Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, etc.


Chennai

  1. East-West Center for Counselling offers individual and group therapy sessions, including for survivors of sexual assault. Contact magdalene@centerforcounselling.com or call the number lists on the website for more information.
  2. Tulir Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse


Kolkata

  1. Elaan is an NGO dealing with child sexual abuse, and may be contacted for referrals to counseling services for survivors.


Mumbai

  1. Arpan offers counseling and other therapeutic services for children and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.


New Delhi

Rahi Foundation offers support services for survivors of incest and childhood sexual abuse



Some sources:

  1. David Cantor, Bonnie Fisher, Susan Chibnall, Reanna Townsend, et. al. Association of American Universities (AAU), Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct (September 21, 2015).
  2. Hill, et al., 2020