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LGBTQ Youth and Sexual Abuse: Information for Mental Health Professionals

While this tip-sheet is intended for mental health practitioners, it provides invaluable information for anyone working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Sections of this brief cover: terms to know when working with LGBTQ youth; continuums of sex, gender, and sexual orientation chart; issues and concerns for LGBTQ youth related to sexual orientation and sexual abuse; issues and concerns for parents of LGBTQ youth related to sexual orientation and sexual abuse; common myths and stereotypes about LGBTQ youth and sexual abuse; providing counseling to LGBTQ youth-examine your own beliefs and experiences, be open-minded and avoid making assumptions, steps toward creating a welcoming and inclusive environment at your agency, steps you can take with co-workers and in direct work with clients, and steps toward confidentiality; and treating LGBTQ youth following sexual abuse.