There are some frightening statistics out there when it comes to the GLBTQ community and sexual assault. One study suggests that at least 20% of the Canadian Lesbian population that has experienced sexual assault. Another study suggests that 28% of gay men experience sexual assault by their partner, and 10% of gay men have been sexually assaulted by heterosexual men as a form of gay bashing. Perhaps most disturbing is that these statistics come only from the incidents that are reported.

“There is only a 6% reporting rate as most assaults are by people we love and trust,” explains Jenny Ofrim, a Public Education and Training Team Leader for Calgary Communities against Sexual Abuse (CCASA). “I don’t think a lot of people recognize what sexual abuse is. A lot of people are afraid to say they were assaulted because they don’t want to be identified as the victim.”

Being sexually assaulted is difficult enough to handle, never mind the fear of being judged for your sexuality, or the thought that your situation may reflect badly on LGBT people as a whole.  It is enough to keep a victim silent.

“We know that there are higher rates of violence among more oppressed communities. CCASA wants to be a safe place for the community,” says Mary Macguire, GLBTQ Liaison Volunteer.

CCASA is trying to erase that fear of coming forward and seeking help.  Part of this includes reaching out to the LGBT community.  Their mission is to provide leadership to impact attitudes and actions around sexual abuse and sexual assault. They do this in a myriad of ways, including sexual assault and sexual abuse crisis and education services. Their guiding principles centre on sexual violence as being an abuse of power and control.

CCASA offers free individual counseling services to people over the age of 12 that have been sexually assaulted or sexually abused. Friends, family, or any supporters that have experienced sexual violence are also welcome for free counseling.

Gay Calgary and Edmonton Magazine had a chance to talk with Jenny and Mary about the many misconceptions of sexual assault in the GLBTQ community.

GayCalgary: What would you say to men that have been assaulted but are afraid to do something about it?

Jenny: A lot of men I have worked with were afraid to talk about it because they felt that somehow they weren’t man enough to fight it off or somehow they feel emasculated by this, but we know that is not the case. We also know that 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before they are 18. We know that a lot of men access our services and we would like men to know that they are not alone.

Mary: CCASA is there for the clients and there is no hidden agenda. We are not trying to force counseling or force our own opinions. It is safe and confidential. CCASA will not make you report the assault, it is your choice.

GayCalgary: What are the stats on women and sexual abuse? 

Jenny: The stats we have say that 39% of women over the age of 18 have been sexually assaulted or sexually violated and those are the ones who actually report it. Most people never actually talk about it because they think it’s their fault.  We know it’s not their fault.  …I had a caller once on the support line and she was 74 years old and just decided now she would tell someone she was abused at 5 years old. She went her whole life without telling a soul. 

GayCalgary: How does sexual assault impact people’s understanding of their own sexual orientation as they grow up?

Jenny: There are many assumptions about that. We have men coming in who have been assaulted either as children or adults and are now questioning their sexual identity, and for some reason they connect the two. We know that these things are not connected; your sexual identity or your sexual orientation has nothing to do with the trauma that you experience.  …

Mary: I’ve found a lot of people I know that are gay have also experienced trauma. I find a lot of gay men experience sexual trauma or violence in their relationships and with gay women it seems to be rooted to their childhood.  However I do see sexual violence and abuse in a bigger picture and I don’t see it as a cause of homosexuality by any means. … 

Jenny: …A hard thing about coming forward to talk about sexual abuse, GLBTQ people face, is the fear of having to identify or talk about being gay, especially if you’re not out, or if you’re questioning. The really important thing is that people know that we’re open. ...I have met with people 10 to 12 times as a counselor and never discussed their sexuality; I don’t need to know about it to help someone through their sexual trauma. It’s whatever the individual wants to share with us, whatever they think is important to their healing.

GayCalgary: What about the misconception  about sexual offenders being mostly homosexual?

Jenny: We know that most offenders are heterosexual males who perpetrate against both males and females. If a man perpetrates against a boy it doesn’t mean he’s gay because again it’s not about sex, it’s about power and control. There is a difference between child molesters and pedophiles, pedophiles have a sexual desire for children male or female - it could be both - and they may or may not act on it; as soon as they do, its child abuse. Child Molesters have a sexual attraction to people their own age but choose to act out sexually on children to gain power and control, but it’s not necessarily about sex.

GayCalgary: Do many people who have been sexually assaulted not realize that what has happened to them is considered as such?

Mary: So many people are told things like, well you had too much to drink, so the next day they might not view it as sexual assault. This is why talking about CCASA is important, it creates awareness so people know there is a place to talk about these things and find out more information.  

Jenny: And they have a right to access the services, they have a right to know it wasn’t their fault; they have a right to feel in a safe place. There are a lot of people out there working with people who are victims of sexual assault by focusing the prevention behaviors on the victim. But we know that the perpetrator is the only person that is responsible for that sexual assault.

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse is here to help if you, or someone you know is a survivor of sexual abuse or sexual assault.