Sexual Victimization in LGB+ Persons in Belgium: Consequences, Help-Seeking Behavior, and Othering-Based Stress

TL;DR

LGB+ individuals in Belgium experience more severe consequences from sexual victimization and face greater barriers to seeking help compared to heterosexual individuals.

Contribution

This study explores the unique impact of sexual victimization and help-seeking barriers among LGB+ individuals in Belgium, emphasizing the role of othering-based stress.

Findings

LGB+ individuals reported more severe identity-related consequences after sexual victimization compared to heterosexual individuals.

LGB+ victims faced additional barriers to seeking help, including fears of stigma and concerns about professional competence.

No significant differences were found between LGB+ individuals who identified as part of a sexual minority group and those who did not.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Persons identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, queer, questioning, fluid, asexual, or other non-heterosexual orientations (LGB+ persons) have been identified as a risk group for sexual victimization (SV), which can have long-lasting negative effects on well-being and physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health. Othering-Based Stress (OBS)—reflecting societal processes of othering and resulting from stigma, prejudice, and discrimination—may contribute to increased vulnerability to SV and its consequences in LGB+ persons and affect help-seeking behavior following victimization. This study examines the impact of SV on LGB+ persons and their help-seeking behavior after victimization. Methods: Using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, first survey data from a nationally representative sample of the Belgian population on SV, its consequences, and subsequent help-seeking behavior were collected from 4632 individuals. Of these, 2965 participants (2601 heterosexual and 364 LGB+ individuals) experienced SV and represented the final sample for the quantitative analyses. In a second phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 LGB+ victims to explore their experiences more thoroughly. Results: LGB+ individuals reported more negative consequences following SV than heterosexual persons, particularly regarding identity-related processes such as questioning gender expression and decreases in self-esteem. They also reported additional barriers to disclosing SV and seeking help from professional services or the police, including fears of stigma, invalidation, and concerns about professionals’ LGB+ competence. No significant differences were found between LGB+ persons who explicitly identified as belonging to a sexual minority group and those who did not, neither in the perceived consequences of SV nor in help-seeking barriers. Conclusions: LGB+ victims of sexual violence experienced more severe identity-related consequences and faced greater barriers to professional support than heterosexual victims. These results highlight the urgent need for trauma-informed, LGB+-inclusive services and structural policy measures to improve access to appropriate care.