Sexual Victimization in LGB+ Persons in Belgium: Consequences, Help-Seeking Behavior, and Othering-Based Stress

Background/Objectives: Persons identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, queer, questioning, fluid, asexual, or other non-heterosexual orientations (LGB+ persons) have been identified as a risk group for sexual victimization (SV), which can have long-lasting negative effects on well-being and physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health. Othering-Based Stress (OBS)-reflecting societal processes of othering and resulting from stigma, prejudice, and discrimination-may contribute to increased vulnerability to SV and its consequences in LGB+ persons and affect help-seeking behavior following victimization. This study examines the impact of SV on LGB+ persons and their help-seeking behavior after victimization. Methods: Using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, first survey data from a nationally representative sample of the Belgian population on SV, its consequences, and subsequent help-seeking behavior were collected from 4632 individuals. Of these, 2965 participants (2601 heterosexual and 364 LGB+ individuals) experienced SV and represented the final sample for the quantitative analyses. In a second phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 LGB+ victims to explore their experiences more thoroughly. Results: LGB+ individuals reported more negative consequences following SV than heterosexual persons, particularly regarding identity-related processes such as questioning gender expression and decreases in self-esteem. They also reported additional barriers to disclosing SV and seeking help from professional services or the police, including fears of stigma, invalidation, and concerns about professionals' LGB+ competence. No significant differences were found between LGB+ persons who explicitly identified as belonging to a sexual minority group and those who did not, neither in the perceived consequences of SV nor in help-seeking barriers. Conclusions: LGB+ victims of sexual violence experienced more severe identity-related consequences and faced greater barriers to professional support than heterosexual victims. These results highlight the urgent need for trauma-informed, LGB+-inclusive services and structural policy measures to improve access to appropriate care.