BLOG POST
This blog post was researched and written by our fantastic interns Emily May, Rebecca Nolan, and Anna Gumenyuk, who are contributing to our ongoing work to understand and prevent childhood sexual violence.
Internationally, June is recognized as LGBTIQ+[1] Pride Month. It recognizes the achievements of LGBTIQ+ individuals and affirms their right to equal protections, acceptance, and justice under law. While we celebrate advances in equal rights, it is important to remember that the fight is far from over. LGBTIQ+ children and young people continue to face homophobic, biphobic, or transphobic bullying and hate crimes.[2] They are at a much higher risk for sexual violence and exploitation[3], being 3.8 times more likely to experience child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) compared to their non-LGBTIQ+ peers.[4]
At Protect Children, we stand with the LGBTIQ+ community as we fight to end CSAE for all children. For this reason, we’ve chosen to take time this pride month to raise awareness about how our work intersects with the safety of LGBTIQ+ community.
Unfortunately, with the rapid development of technology, children are increasingly vulnerable to sexual violence online.[5] According to a report by Protect Children ‘Tech Platforms used by Online Child Sexual Abuse Offenders’, 70% of respondents who have sought contact with a child tried to do so through social media (48%), online games (41%), or messaging apps (37%). These digital spaces are widely used by LGBTQ+ minors as they maintain more online-only relationships compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers.[6]
According to the research by Thorn[6], for LGBTIQ+ youth, the internet offers opportunities for open exploration, connection, and expression of their authentic selves that may not be possible in their offline lives. The increased internet use exposes them to unique and heightened risks, making them more likely to encounter unwanted online interactions than their non-LGBTIQ+ peers (see the accompanying infographic for more details).[6] Despite these dangers, one in three LGBTIQ+ teens would rather face them alone than seek help[6], often fearing being outed to their family.
Link to our digital safety resources:
According to recent estimates from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, approximately 300,000 youth ages 13-17, or 1.4% of this age group, identify as transgender in the United States.[7] Transgender people, including youth, face the highest rates of discrimination, known as transphobia, which includes sexual violence and abuse.[8] Transphobia also targets non-binary and intersex individuals, though they are not always included in advocacy or research efforts.
Transgender and non-binary children are especially vulnerable to CSAE due to the intersection of economic, religious, and mental health factors.[3] Lack of sexual education or supportive environments forces many to seek information online, increasing their risk of encountering explicit content and grooming.[6] One of the biggest factors which increases the likelihood of CSAE, however, is societal-level discrimination. Limited awareness of transgender and non-binary identities and restrictions on gender-affirming practices amplify the issue, making them vulnerable to hate or predatory offenders.
Resource empowering young people to help their friends disclose sexual violence to a safe adult:
Need for Change
There is much to be done in order to address the uniquely complex risks LGBTIQ+ youth face regarding CSAE. Firstly, further research must be done in order to more accurately understand the problems at hand. Secondly, community and society-level acceptance must be established in order to create healthier, more nurturing environments with fewer aggravating factors. Finally, more must be done to address the technical, internet-related risks for LGBTIQ+ youth, such as the implementation of our research-based recommendations for the tech industry and the creation of resources with proper sexual education and identity-exploration materials.
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ALL children have the right to a childhood free from sexual violence.
Happy Pride Month! –Protect Children💚
References:
[1] Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, and more.
[2] NSPCC Learning (2024) “Safeguarding LGBTIQ+ children and young people”.
[3] Capaldi, M., et al (2024) “Child sexual abuse/exploitation and LGBTQI+ children: Context, links, vulnerabilities, gaps, challenges and priorities”.
[4] Friedman, MS., et al (2011) “A Meta-Analysis of Disparities in Childhood Sexual Abuse, Parental Physical Abuse, and Peer Victimization Among Sexual Minority and Sexual Nonminority Individuals”.
[5] Protect Children (2024) “Tech Platforms Used by Online Child Sexual Abuse Offenders”.
[6] Thorn (2023) “LGBTQ+ Youth Perspectives: How LGBTIQ+ Youth are Navigating Exploration and Risks of Sexual Exploitation Online”.
[7] Williams Institute (2022) “New estimates show 300,000 youth ages 13-17 identify as transgender in the US”.
[8] TransActual. na. “Transphobia”.