As we mentioned to you on Monday, RTI International, a nonprofit research institute based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., has released a report that shows that members of LGBTQ+ communities are at high risk for being victims of physical and sexual assault, harassment, bullying, and hate crimes.
The researchers found that in a range of studies with LGBTQ+ individuals, victimization experiences are clearly and consistently correlated with behavioral health conditions and suicidality, sexual risk-taking and HIV status, other long-term physical health issues, and decreased school involvement and achievement. Such effects are often sustained many years after a victimization event. The report suggests that widespread victimization of LGBTQ+ individuals is an urgent issue affecting public education, public safety, and public health.
RTI researchers analyzed 20 years’ worth of published studies on violence and the LGBTQ+ community, which included 102 peer-reviewed papers as well as a few unpublished analyses and non-peer-reviewed papers. With The Henne Group, RTI also carried out a series of focus-group discussions with LGBTQ+ communities in San Francisco; New York City; Durham, North Carolina; and rural Wyoming.
We are hoping that these findings may be of use to you in your work, and that you might help us spread the word about them through your social media platforms, email listserves, and other communication methods.
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