The sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual does not make them more or less likely to commit abuse against children.
But children and young people from the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to suffer sexual abuse than the heterosexual and cisgender community. This can lead to risky behaviours in adolescents or adults.
Why LGBTQ+ children and young people are at risk
Although more and more people are comfortable ‘coming out’, there are still many who unfortunately do not feel safe enough to do so. Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and stigmatisation mean that many LGBTQ+ children still need to cope with feelings of shame when growing up.
Safeguarding procedures should apply no matter the sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual. But due to the vulnerability and stigmatisation, LGBTQ+ adolescents are more at risk and have higher rates of self-harm and suicide than the rest of the adolescent population.
Some people can take advantage of this situation and target vulnerable children and young people with the intention of exploiting them. This can include people being exploited by their peers, and can involve young people being forced to engage in sexual activity or share indecent images online.
LGBTQ+ and the online world
Navigating a heterosexual and cisgender society can be difficult for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
They may be alienated from their family or isolated from their friends, leading to many LGBTQ+ people turning to the internet for solidarity.
With just the click of a button, they can escape their physical surroundings and immediately be transported to a place filled with like-minded, accepting people. There, they can seek guidance about coming out, ask questions about queer specific topics, and better understand their sexuality and gender identity.
Simply put, the internet can facilitate a sense of community among LGBTQ+ people, regardless of their physical proximity to one another.
The internet and social media are essential to connecting individuals to information and people of the LGBT+ community. It can provide spaces for them to find acceptance, community, and support.
Since the suicide rate for LGBTQ+ youth is substantially higher than that of their heterosexual and cisgender peers, the internet can become life-saving.
There are many support groups that can provide help and save lives. It can be a great information-sharing platform for a sometimes disjointed community, especially in rural areas.
Dangers of the online world
However, the internet can also be an intimidating and risky place. Just read the comments on any viral social media post, and you are likely to see insults and aggressive statements.
Because a large portion of these comments include homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic comments, the internet is especially threatening to the LGBTQ+ community.
Sometimes this abuse is from within the LGBTQ+ community as well.
Today, social media is our main form of communication on the internet, and for LGBTQ+ people – especially those who are not supported by their families or friends – social media may be the only place they can find a loving, supportive community.
Unfortunately, social media is also rife with bullying. People can remain anonymous and not face their victim in person, which provides an opportunity to bully in a way that is much more widespread online than in ‘real life’.
But it is part of and affects real life!
It can lead to depression, and some people turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drugs, alcohol, and self-injury.
This bullying can take on the form of “revenge porn”, outing of individuals, it can be from peers or friends they have met online. Without knowing, a child/young person may end up breaking the law themselves by sending or receiving images.
What can I do?
Talking to a child or young person about safeguarding should apply no matter the sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual. Just take into consideration;
- Take risks seriously and seek support from child and adolescent mental health services, local child protection teams, or social services, particularly in a young person presenting with self-harm or suicidal ideation
- Establish rapport with a non-judgmental and inclusive approach
- Avoid unnecessarily gendered language and do not give a young person a label that they have not given themselves