Qualitative Exploration of Perceptions of Sexual Assault and Associated Consequences Among LGBTQ plus College Students

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals face numerous challenges related to minority stress, among them sexual assault victimization. Yet, research on actual and perceived consequences of sexual assault victimization in LGBTQ+ communities is limited. The purposes of this qualitative study were to better understand the perceptions of social norms about the negative consequences of sexual assault and to propose interpersonal recommendations and policy changes to improve mental and physical health support and reporting procedures to better serve LGBTQ+ college student sexual assault survivors. We used thematic analysis of 12 individual and group interviews of LGBTQ+ college students (N = 20; median age = 20) representing a range of gender identities (i.e., cisgender men, cisgender, and transgender women) and sexual orientations (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, asexual, and homoflexible cupiosexual people) to identify six major themes and 14 subthemes. The major themes included: (a) Interpersonal Concerns About Disclosure, (b) Consequences of Sexual Assault, (c) Hesitance to Engage with Institutions Following Sexual Assault, (d) Sense of LGBTQ+ Community, (e) Cisheteronormativity, and (f) Changes to Improve Institutional Support. Participants perceived both experiences common to greater college populations as well as unique consequences LGBTQ+ students face, coupled with a widespread distrust of the institutions tasked with providing survivors mental and physical health treatment and criminal justice. Study findings corroborate previous research that underscores the necessity of increased funding for, and tailoring reporting procedures and support services to, the needs of LGBTQ+ college students. Public Significance Statement This study suggests that it is important to reevaluate structural barriers to access to services and support for LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual assault. Further, tailor educational programming and response services are needed to better support LGBTQ+ sexual assault survivors on college campuses.