Your initial response should be based on the victim's self-identified needs rather than your personal opinions and/or family members' concerns.
The following are tips for effectively responding to LGBT victims (drawn from Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault: A Journey to Justice, Health and Healing):
- • Address your own feelings/bias of homo/bi/transphobia.
- • Educate yourself; don't rely on victims for education.
- • Don't ask unnecessary questions about victims' sexual practices or bodies.
- • Maintain confidentiality; do not 'out' a person to other staff/colleagues.
- • Support victims and assure them that their feelings and responses are normal.
- • Do not assume victims' gender or sexual orientation.
- • Ask questions in a way that does not assume the gender of a perpetrator.
- • Don't make judgments or place blame on victims.