Understanding the dynamics of sexual violence is complex as it is. When the nuances related to gender identities, gender expression, and sexual orientation are taken into account, it becomes even more complicated. What becomes apparent is the disproportionality of sexual violence perpetrated against LGBTQ+ individuals. This webinar is the first installment of a two-part series on working with LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence. This session focuses on gaining an understanding of the LGBTQ+ population in order to serve and support them better.

This course’s resource speaker is Marli Mayon, the Sexual Violence Response Coordinator with the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. She’s served in anti-violence work since 2017 ensuring services are survivor-centered, intersectional, and accessible to communities pushed to the margins.

Specifics of the discussion are:

• Unpacking sexual violence, including the different types of acts and situations that fall under this umbrella term.
• Statistics demonstrating how the LGBTQ+ community is disproportionally impacted by sexual violence.
• The critical first step of unlearning binaries and starting to look at things in a spectrum.
• How traditional gender roles contribute to abusive relationships based on how power tends to be attributed in these settings.
• Juxtaposing gender and sexual identity, the types of gender identities, and understanding that sex assigned at birth does not always equate to an individual’s gender identity.
• Gender expression: What it is, how it is manifested, its difference to gender identity, and how one’s gender identity cannot be determined just through gender expression.
• The concepts of gender dysphoria that typically happens in trans individuals and the advocates’ role in shifting these feelings into gender euphoria through awareness, respect, and support.
• The process of transitioning, the social, legal, and physical/medical aspects of transitioning, how the process varies by individual, and how advocates can provide support during transition.
• How learning about pronouns and names is valuable in communicating respect and inclusiveness to LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Tips on how to ask others about pronouns and reacting when we use incorrect pronouns or misgender trans people.
• Differentiating sexual orientation and romantic orientation and acquainting with its various subtypes.
• Why it is critical to never assume anything when working with LGBTQ individuals and how to better serve them by understanding their different cultures, unique experiences, and struggles.
• An interactive quiz was utilized to get audience members to familiarize with gender expression, gender identity, sexual attraction, and romantic attraction dynamics.

Points covered in the Q&A are about:

• Addressing people in military settings following the lessons learned in this webinar.
• Using gender-neutral pronouns and pronouns for written communications.
• LGBTQ+ stereotypes that contribute to sexual violence.
• The concepts of asexual, bisexual, and pansexual.
• Referring to individuals that use mixed pronouns.
• Resources for LGBTQ+ teens who are victims of abuse.
• Providing guidance to a trans individual considering affirming surgery when they’re not in a safe environment.

Other Webinars with this Presenter

• Oct 14: Working with LGBTQ+ Survivors of Sexual Violence Part 1 (this webinar)
• Dec 9: Working with LGBTQ+ Survivors of Sexual Violence Part 2

Click Here for other Victim Assistance/Advocacy webinars on the JCH Platform.

Resources and Handouts

• List of additional resources handout

Audience Comments

• “So much new information and information clarified. The exercises were very helpful. Well explained and presented. Slides were extremely helpful. Thank you.” — Terri
• “The experiential learning opportunities throughout the presentation were helpful. This session felt more introductory or foundational than I expected, but I will look forward to the next session for more detailed information.” — Victoria
• “Everything was great. Clear, easy to understand on every level.” — SHAUNA
• “Being able to treat all victims with respect is super important. And now I feel I can properly assist this community by having this additional understanding.” — Sara
• “The rainbow unicorn depicting the spectrum of gender was amazing.” — Lauren
• “SO much!! Subtle symptoms and the pathophysiology behind them, recommendations (record the raspy or hoarse voice), excellent photographs to clarify points made … ALL of it!!” — Deb
• “The most valuable thing was learning there is much more to the LGBTQ community related to how they identify than I initially thought. Due to my limited knowledge of how people identify in regards to the specific terms, it was hard for me to follow and take in the identity of a person towards the end of the presentation as I couldn’t remember all of the terms. Overall, a great presentation and I will definitely seek out more on my own to understand it better.” — Patrick

NACP and D-SAACP Advocates can earn 1 CEU by attending this webinar through the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)® and the DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP). Founded in 1975, the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States and is the recognized leader in victim advocacy, education and credentialing.  To learn more about NOVA, visit trynova.org.