Original Article by SIG Members
Preventing Sexual Violence in Queer and Trans Communities: Cultivating Advocacy through Research
Sara K. Kuhn (she/they), M.L.I.S., Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota
Benjamin W. Katz (they/them), B.A., Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Daniel W. Oesterle (he/him/his), B.S., Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University
December 2, 2020
Preventing Sexual Violence in Queer and Trans Communities: Cultivating Advocacy through Research
Sara K. Kuhn (she/they), M.L.I.S., Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota
Benjamin W. Katz (they/them), B.A., Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Daniel W. Oesterle (he/him/his), B.S., Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University
December 2, 2020
We present a call-to-arms for considering how programs seeking to prevent and respond to the alarming and prevalent public health crises of sexual violence and substance use can be developed or adapted for queer and trans people. We discuss vulnerability factors for sexual and gender minority people, prevention efforts, and future directions for advocacy and research.
Substance Use in Queer and Trans Communities
Queer and trans people use alcohol and other substances at higher rates than straight cis people¹,². Experiences of stigma and discrimination as well as personal stressors (for example, internalized heterosexism and cissexism) are collectively referred to as minority stressors³ and serve as one explanation for increased substance use among sexual and gender minority people⁴. Minority stressors may exacerbate substance use in part through the increased amount and intensity of negative emotions, and the use of substances to cope with these emotions⁴. While temporarily relieving stress, increased substance use may also increase vulnerability to sexual violence victimization⁵.
Sexual Violence Victimization in Queer and Trans Communities
Queer and trans people are sexually victimized at much higher rates than straight and cis people6. While sexual violence has been linked to heavy drinking, the reverse has also been demonstrated: sexual victimization predicts increased alcohol use. This reciprocal relationship has been primarily explored among cis straight people. Alcohol use may make queer and trans people more vulnerable to sexual victimization. Alcohol directly impairs the ability to notice a threat, making it more difficult to physically resist an assault5. The blame for sexual violence always rests solely with the perpetrator. Yet, there is a lack of data on who is harming sexual minority people and how to intervene to stop sexual perpetration.
Prevention Programs Centering Queer and Trans People’s Experiences of Sexual Violence
Despite high rates of sexual violence victimization among queer and trans people, prevention literature has predominantly studied straight, cis women. To our knowledge, the only sexual violence prevention program customized to be inclusive of and relevant to sexual and gender minority people is Alcohol and Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP)⁶. Sexual violence prevention programs must integrate and target substance use while simultaneously addressing the unique needs of queer and trans people regarding the minority stress they experience. It is equally critical sexual violence prevention programs target perpetration and investigate who is harming sexual and gender minority people.
Intersecting Marginalized Identities and Future Directions
Studying people with intersecting marginalized identities requires interdisciplinary efforts and mixed methods research designs. The individual and collective research of the authors aims to improve the health of diverse queer and trans communities. We are three white authors who will never fully understand the experiences and needs of queer and trans people who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color. Still, we pledge to:
Substance Use in Queer and Trans Communities
Queer and trans people use alcohol and other substances at higher rates than straight cis people¹,². Experiences of stigma and discrimination as well as personal stressors (for example, internalized heterosexism and cissexism) are collectively referred to as minority stressors³ and serve as one explanation for increased substance use among sexual and gender minority people⁴. Minority stressors may exacerbate substance use in part through the increased amount and intensity of negative emotions, and the use of substances to cope with these emotions⁴. While temporarily relieving stress, increased substance use may also increase vulnerability to sexual violence victimization⁵.
Sexual Violence Victimization in Queer and Trans Communities
Queer and trans people are sexually victimized at much higher rates than straight and cis people6. While sexual violence has been linked to heavy drinking, the reverse has also been demonstrated: sexual victimization predicts increased alcohol use. This reciprocal relationship has been primarily explored among cis straight people. Alcohol use may make queer and trans people more vulnerable to sexual victimization. Alcohol directly impairs the ability to notice a threat, making it more difficult to physically resist an assault5. The blame for sexual violence always rests solely with the perpetrator. Yet, there is a lack of data on who is harming sexual minority people and how to intervene to stop sexual perpetration.
Prevention Programs Centering Queer and Trans People’s Experiences of Sexual Violence
Despite high rates of sexual violence victimization among queer and trans people, prevention literature has predominantly studied straight, cis women. To our knowledge, the only sexual violence prevention program customized to be inclusive of and relevant to sexual and gender minority people is Alcohol and Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP)⁶. Sexual violence prevention programs must integrate and target substance use while simultaneously addressing the unique needs of queer and trans people regarding the minority stress they experience. It is equally critical sexual violence prevention programs target perpetration and investigate who is harming sexual and gender minority people.
Intersecting Marginalized Identities and Future Directions
Studying people with intersecting marginalized identities requires interdisciplinary efforts and mixed methods research designs. The individual and collective research of the authors aims to improve the health of diverse queer and trans communities. We are three white authors who will never fully understand the experiences and needs of queer and trans people who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color. Still, we pledge to:
References
- Crane, P. R., Swaringen, K. S., Foster, A. M., & Talley, A. E. (2020). Alcohol use disorders among sexual and gender minority populations. In Rothblum, E. D. (Ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health. Oxford University Press. (pp. 87-100).
- Starks, T. J., Cabral, C. M., & Talan, A. J. (2020). Drug use among sexual and gender minority populations. In Rothblum, E. D. (Ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health. Oxford University Press. (pp. 101-109).
- Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674.
- Feinstein, B. A., & Newcomb, M. E. (2016). The role of substance use motives in the associations between minority stressors and substance use problems among young men who have sex with men. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 3(3), 357.
- Testa, M., & Livingston, J. A. (2009). Alcohol consumption and women's vulnerability to sexual victimization: Can reducing women's drinking prevent rape? Substance Use & Misuse, 44(9-10), 1349-1376.
- Gilmore, A. K., Leone, R. M., Oesterle, D., Davis, K. C., Orchowski, L. M., Ramakrishnan, V., & Kaysen, D. (under review). Web-based Alcohol and Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP) program with tailored content based on gender and sexual orientation: Usability and preliminary outcomes. Manuscript under review for publication.