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I am a lesbian, queer or bisexual

It can be hard enough for anyone to talk about sexual assault, and to get in touch with the services and the support they need. For some groups and communities, it's even harder.

You may wonder whether you were targeted because of your sexual orientation. There is still of lot of homophobia-hatred or fear of homosexuals-in our society, and it can reinforce your feelings of fear and vulnerability. You may also be dealing with particular feelings of physical revulsion, and you may wonder how other lesbian, queer or bisexual women will react to what has happened to you.

Homophobia
You may be afraid you'll be treated differently by police or services if you tell them about your sexual orientation. You may be concerned that your sexuality, not the rape, will be what really interests them. You may worry that counsellor's and others may be sensitive about rape but still have homophobic ideas about lesbianism. If you are a survivor of child sexual assault or incest you may be worried that other people-including professionals- may believe the myths about sexual assault 'causing' lesbianism.

If other people don't know
If your family, friends or employers don't know about your sexuality, telling may threaten your job as well as the closeness and support you need right now. Or it may have a bad effect on your close friends, or your children. On the other hand, if you don't tell, some of the questions you are asked by sexual assault centres and police may be hard to answer. You will also have to think carefully about how you express your thoughts and feelings at a time when you want to talk freely. Whether you tell or not, you are entitled to the same treatment as any other woman who has been raped.

What if a woman assaulted you?
If you have been assaulted by another woman, whether she's a lesbian or not, you may wonder if you will be believed. Rape is usually seen as a crime committed by men against women, and sometimes same-sex rape is denied.

It's still rape under the law
And it's just as traumatic. Whoever she is; your partner, girlfriend or lover, a friend, an acquaintance or a stranger, she forced you to have sex. The rape may raise questions for you about your own sexuality, and undermine your trust in other women. You need support, and to talk to someone you trust.

Getting help
The NSW Police have gay and lesbian liaison officers across the state who can help you with support and advice (see our fact sheet on "Reporting To Police").

Awareness of sexual violence is increasing in the queer community, and changing attitudes are making it easier to speak out about same-sex rape and get support.

Counsellors at the NSW Rape Crisis Centre are sensitive to your needs and those of your family, partner and friends.