Unfortunately, there are high rates of violence, trauma, and suicide within the LGBTQ+ community, and that prevalence is often inextricably linked with domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVSA).

LGBTQ+ people are four times more likely to experience violence in their life than their straight counterparts according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. And LGBTQ+ youth are at higher risk of teen dating violence than other youth.

Sexual violence and intimate partner violence are rooted in power and control. This is magnified by the systems of oppression that those in the LBGTQ+ community face throughout their lives. Abusers often leverage homo- and transphobia to exert more power and control in relationships. In addition, barriers to stable housing and employment because of bias and discrimination against the LBGTQ+ community can leave them more vulnerable to other forms of violence by limiting their choices and making them more likely to rely on unsafe situations.

According to the Polaris Project, 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+. Being homeless is often linked with experiencing higher rates of violence. Many people are exploited and forced into sex work to survive while navigating these bigger systemic barriers.

The way issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community are discussed and the othering that can happen as a result also exacerbate the risk of experiencing DVSA. According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), instances of hate violence like harassment, stalking, vandalism, and physical and sexual assault can be enabled and motivated by an increase in “socially sanctioned expressions of transphobia, biphobia, and homophobia.”

Schools are an environment that can be particularly hostile for LGBTQ+ youth. That said, teachers often serve as safe spaces and a place for students to find support when they lack it from their peers or family. It can be even more difficult for LGBTQ+ youth to escape violence and heal from it if their experiences are denied, minimized, or normalized. These youth are at higher risk of suicide as compared to their peers, and teen dating violence exacerbates that risk.