LGBTQ+

Sexual Violence can affect any person at any time in their life – including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (LGBTQ+) people. If you’re LGBTQ and have experienced sexual violence at any time in your life, our highly trained all-female team of staff and volunteers can support you.

How CRASAC supports LGBTQ+

CRASAC’s advocacy support and counselling is available to anyone who has experienced sexual violence.

We recognise that everyone is an individual who should be able to describe their sexual orientation and gender identity in their own way – safe from judgement, prejudice or discrimination.

We will always use your preferred pronoun, never disclose your status or unduly focus on your gender identity. Our workers will also never judge or scrutinise your sexuality. 

Common fears and concerns

People who are LGBTQ+ can face abuse, threats and barriers to accessing services because of their sexuality or gender identity. A sexual violence experience in addition to this can make it especially hard to trust others and ask for help which means that LGBTQ+ people often:

• Feel ashamed about what has happened.
• Fear they may be blamed for the sexual violence.
• Fear no one will believe them.
• Fear they will have to ‘outed’ if they reveal what has happened to them.
• Fear they may be betraying their community if they report an assault by someone who is LGBTQ+.

Our team understands these fears and concerns, and will listen to what you have to say, discuss your concerns and offer impartial, non-judgemental support. We want you to know:

• We will never disclose your sexuality or gender identity.
• There is no pressure to report to the police if you access our support.
• Sexual violence can and does happen in same sex relationships.
• Sexual abuse is not the result or cause of sexuality or gender identity.
• Responsibility always lies with the perpetrator.

Improving our services

CRASAC is committed to continuously improving the services we offer to all of our clients – this includes listening to the experiences, needs and wishes of LGBTQ+ people.

We conduct regular service reviews to assess how accessible and inclusive our service is and continue to provide training and resources to staff on gender and sexuality diversity. CRASAC has a core set of values, which ensures an anti-discriminatory approach.

If you have any feedback on our services or would like to contribute your ideas on how we can make our services more LGBTQ+ positive, please email lgbt@crasac.org.uk.

If you are seeking support for a past or recent act of sexual violence, please get in touch.

Other LGBTQ+ Community and Support Groups

Below are some LGBTQ+ support groups and professional services in Coventry, across the West Midlands and Nationwide that may be able to provide you with advice, support and friendship.

Galop are a national charity who support LGBTQ+ who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence and/or domestic abuse.

Coventry Pride  is a charity that runs and supports a range of local community groups.

Prism is Coventry’s LGBTQ+ Youth Group, offering a free weekly social group for LGBTQ+ young people from Coventry and the surrounding areas aged between 13 and 18.

Spectrum is an LGBTQ+ group for 18-30 year olds in and around the Coventry area. Run by Coventry Pride with regular social events and more.

Coventry Corsairs RFC  – A fully inclusive rugby team based in Coventry. Inclusive to men, women, gay, straight, bi, trans, lesbian, those with rugby experience as well as those with none. Anyone is welcome to join them. Training can be for either full contact rugby or none contact rugby.

The Survivors Trust have produced a series of guides for LGBTQ+ survivors.