Community Feedback on Adapting a Training to Improve Social Reactions to Sexual Violence for LGBTQ+ Young Adults.

Abstract

Sexual violence disproportionately impacts LGBTQ+ young adults, yet few interventions have been tailored to equip their communities with the skills to respond supportively to disclosures of sexual violence. Social reactions, or how a person responds to a disclosure, play a critical role in shaping survivors' health outcomes, such as psychological wellbeing. The purpose of this project was to identify what adaptations needed to be made to an existing social reactions intervention (Supporting Survivors and Self; SSS) so that SSS is relevant and impactful for LGBTQ+ communities. Using a theater testing approach, we conducted 7 virtual theater testing groups (N = 29 participants) with LGBTQ+ individuals 18-25 years old, to gather feedback on tailoring SSS content. We analyzed theater test data with content then thematic analyses. Participants emphasized the need for content to be representative of LGBTQ+ definitions of sexual violence. They also highlighted the importance of addressing stigma and discrimination- both internalized and external-with the desire to create safe spaces that reduce stigma and isolation while fostering greater community building. LGBTQ+-inclusive programs addressing social reactions to sexual violence may benefit not only LGBTQ+ individuals but expand representations of supportive behaviors (e.g. avoiding stigmatizing questions or language) and forms of sexual violence (e.g. "outing"). Federal funding terminations add challenges for testing an adaptation of this program and other LGBTQ+-inclusive interventions.