Violence Recovery Program at Fenway Health Raises Awareness of LGBTQ Sexual Assault Survivors with the #UsToo Campaign

Through newly frank discussions and growing public awareness, sexual assault has become a topic of serious conversation both nationally and internationally. The epidemic of sexual violence is finally getting the attention it needs from lawmakers, celebrities, and everyday people.

However, the unique experiences of LGBTQ survivors, whom studies have shown disproportionately experience sexual violence, are often left out of the narrative. With the launch of the #UsToo campaign, the Violence Recovery Program (VRP) at Fenway Health seeks to raise awareness of this issue and to affirm the experiences of LGBTQ people who have experienced intimate partner and sexual violence.

The #UsToo campaign, which will run through the month of September, will seek to raise awareness via social media, MBTA ads, statewide radio via a simple, yet much-needed reminder to those left out of the conversation: "Sexual assault doesn't discriminate by race, gender, orientation, or identity, and neither do we." Its goal is to speak to those survivors whose experiences are less acknowledged in mainstream media, while depicting a diverse range of people to help underscore and reaffirm the fact that sexual violence can, in fact, happen to anyone.

Numerous studies over the past two decades indicate that members of the LGBTQ community suffer disproportionate rates of sexual victimization compared to the general population. Sexual and gender minorities, like other minority groups, are more likely to experience sexual assault, sexual harassment, physical assault and stalking. According to the CT Community Nonprofit Alliance, 40% of gay men and 47% of bisexual men report experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime, and lesbian and bisexual women are three times more likely to experience sexual violence. The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that 47% of transgender people are sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetime.

LGBTQ survivors are less likely to report these experiences to law enforcement, due to perceived homophobic and transphobic bias in the criminal justice system. When LGBTQ people do seek support services, those services are often designed for heterosexual clients, furthering isolating and traumatizing LGBTQ survivors.

The VRP at Fenway Health is proud to offer affirming and culturally competent services to assist individuals who identify as LGBTQ, who have experienced sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or hate crime victimization. For victims of sexual assault - including women who've been abused by women, trans individuals, and male survivors in need of support following sexual violence - the VRP provides LGBTQ specialized support and recovery through free counseling and advocacy.

With locations in Boston, Cape Cod, Fall River, and Western Massachusetts, the VRP is able to see clients across the state. For more information on the VRP services or to become a client, please visit fenwayhealth.org/ustoo, or call 1-800-834-3242.

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This project was supported by Grant No. 2015-UD-AX-001 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women

Since 1971, Fenway Health has been working to make life healthier for the people in our neighborhood, the LGBTQ community, people living with HIV/AIDS and the broader population. The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education and policy development focusing on national and international health issues. Fenway's Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center cares for youth and young adults ages 12 to 29 who may not feel comfortable going anywhere else, including those who are LGBT or just figuring things out; homeless; struggling with substance use; or living with HIV/AIDS. In 2013, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts joined the Fenway Health family, allowing both organizations to improve delivery of care and services across the state and beyond.