A new survey by national health and wellbeing charity LGBT Hero has revealed that more than one in five LGBTQ+ individuals have been sexually assaulted in queer venues, such as clubs and bars.
The study, which surveyed over 600 members of the LGBTQ+ community, highlighted that many survivors experienced assaults in various environments, including Pride after-parties, bars, and “sex-positive” venues.
One anonymous respondent shared: “I was assaulted in a queer club. When I told a staff member, they rolled their eyes and told me I was overreacting.”
The data showed that 61 percent of respondents reported being sexually or intimately touched without consent in a social setting, while 21 percent disclosed they had been sexually assaulted at an LGBTQ+ venue.
Perpetrators Are Often Strangers
The survey found that while 74 percent of victims told someone about their assault, only 19 percent reported the incident to the police.
Key findings include:
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44 percent of survivors said their assailant was a stranger.
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31 percent reported that the perpetrator was a friend.
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One in five victims stated the perpetrator was someone they had just met.
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24 percent of respondents said they were too scared to speak up, while 17 percent were too upset to do so.
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45 percent simply chose to move away from the situation.
Calls for Change
In response to these findings, LGBT Hero is calling for mandatory consent training for all LGBTQ+ venue staff, along with visible reporting systems to support survivors and increased community accountability to address harmful behavior.
‘Assaults Happening Where We Should Feel Protected’
Ian Howley, CEO of LGBT Hero, emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces within the LGBTQ+ community: “LGBTQ+ spaces should be places of safety, but sexual assault and harassment are happening where we should feel protected.
“Our experience running the Lambeth Allies Programme, in partnership with Lambeth Council, has shown us that real change is possible when we come together to educate, train, and empower people to challenge unacceptable behavior.”
A 2022 survey by anti-abuse charity Galop also reported that half of LGBTQ+ sexual-violence survivors believed they were assaulted because of their identity.
The findings highlight an urgent need for enhanced safety measures and community-driven initiatives to address sexual violence in LGBTQ+ spaces.