We provide tailored services based on individual need and we will work with you to offer the type and level of support that you need. Language is personal and we respect the language you choose to describe yourself, your sexuality, your gender and your experience of sexual violence.
Being raped or abused because of your sexuality or transgender status is not only an act of sexual violence but also a hate crime and will be treated as such in law. Sexual violence as a form of homophobic hate crime can include so-called ‘corrective rape’ which aims to ‘cure’ people of their chosen sexuality or gender. This can increase the sense of self-blame that many survivors feel, as a core part of your identity has been attacked. No one asks to be sexually assaulted, and the person who is responsible for sexual violence is the perpetrator. Workers at our Centre will be able you to support you to work through all the different feelings that you may have. If there is anything that we need to do to help you to feel safe and supported at our Centre, please let us know and we will try to make it happen.
Many people in the LGBT+ communities may be reluctant to report because of a fear of being discriminated against. Under the Equality Act Scotland, the Police have a responsibility not to discriminate against people on the grounds of sexual orientation and transgender status.
If you feel that you have been discriminated against on this basis, then you have the right to make a complaint. Support from LRCC through the complaints process can be provided if it is of benefit to you. Third party reporting of a ‘hate crime’ can also be made through the Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre or another agency such as LGBT Youth Scotland. This means that you can anonymously pass on details about what happened to the police and help them to gather information.
Useful Links:
LGBT Youth Scotland: Scotland’s national charity for LGBTI young people
Equality Network: The leading national charity for LGBT equality and human rights in Scotland
LGBT Health and Wellbeing: Offering support and opportunities to connect as a community
LGBT Domestic Abuse Project: Working to raise awareness of domestic abuse in LGBT relationships in Scotland
Resources:
· support for lesbian and gay women ( pdf, 0 bytes )
· looking for support transgender ( pdf, 0 bytes )