Survivors may feel shame, depression, anger, powerlessness, denial, and numerous other emotions. survivors may feel that they were the cause of the situation. There is no "normal" emotional response to being attacked, and no survivor is responsible for the violennce she or he has endured.

Survivors may not want to come out in order to receive medical care, legal follow-up, or emotional support. only you know what will make you feel safest as you work through the after-effects of being sexually-assaulted. BRAVO can refer you to agencies and people who can provide non-biased, non-homophobic support.

Survivors may question their sexual identity after being sexually assaulted. Remember that sexual violence is about violence, not sex, and it does not define who you are.

Survivors have a legal right to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. In Ohio, same sex sexual assault is included in the legal definitions of rape and sexual assault. Although sexual orientation is not included in all hate crime laws, all sexual assaults are illegal.