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Violence against sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals has continued to proliferate globally. Yet, less is known about victimization among subgroups of SGM individuals, especially SGM immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. There has been a steady increase in this vulnerable group of migrants over the years, and emerging evidence has pointed to their heightened risk of victimization. We conducted a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature that examined violence, abuse, and mental health among SGM individuals who migrate internationally. One hundred ninety-nine articles were identified by searching five scholarly databases and hand searching. Twenty-six articles met inclusion criteria. We first used the migration framework, which outlines the distinct phases of the migration trajectory (predeparture, travel, interception, destination, and return), to categorize findings and then identified four overarching themes to capture SGM migrants’ experiences at each phase: severe and prolonged violence and abuse related to sexual orientation or gender identity (predeparture); continued victimization and high-risk for sexual violence (travel); detainment- and deportation-related violence and abuse (interception and return); and new manifestations of violence and abuse while living with past trauma (destination). Violence and abuse began in childhood and continued in the host country, where they faced discrimination while managing posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Findings indicate that SGM migrants are extremely vulnerable to victimization. There is an immediate need for policies to protect SGM individuals worldwide and for affirmative, culturally informed practices to help SGM migrants manage trauma and the structural barriers impeding recovery.

This chapter aims to provide a critical review of the literature that addresses the ways in which sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) with migration experience navigate mental health issues. There has been a recent growth in public interest and scholarship in Canada and the United States about the realities of SGMs with migration experience. However, there are scholarly debates and tensions in relation to how key terms related to sexuality, gender, and migration have been mobilized within this field of knowledge. This chapter thus aims to map out the ways in which knowledge about SGMs with migration experience has been categorized through migrant status, race, and ethnicity. In addition, this chapter provides a synthesis of the latest research findings on the relationship between this population and mental health issues. This chapter also critically reflects on various policy and practice implications of these findings and considers future directions for content, theories, and methodologies of research about this population.

The psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on individuals, families, and communities will likely persist for years to come. While briefing notes informed by disaster psychology and crisis management have been released to guide social workers and other mental health professionals in their work during the pandemic, the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19 may require inclusion of additional theories of trauma and resilience. Thus, this article first examines the application of complex trauma theory as an effective framework for assessing the psychosocial impacts of the pandemic, especially among individuals with prior trauma exposure, those with preexisting mental illness, and communities affected by marginalization and historical trauma. Authors then discuss the importance of using trauma-informed practice to address the effects of the pandemic on both individual and community levels during this unprecedented moment in history.

Researchers are beginning to document the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) forced migrants in settlement. However, studies exploring the perceptions of service providers working with this vulnerable population are limited. These may shed light on the challenges of meeting the needs of LGBT forced migrants, especially mental health issues and problems. This qualitative study elicited the views of 22 Canadian service providers, including advocates, lawyers and mental health practitioners, who serve LGBT forced migrants. Grounded theory analysis revealed the following four themes: facilitating safety, buffering rejection; tracking avoidance patterns; interpreting mental health; and negotiating identity paradigms. Participants' accounts suggest that LGBT forced migrants may be best served by providers who understand the exigencies of establishing trust and safety for their clients; recognise their clients' nuanced social support needs; facilitate the refugee claims process; grasp the complexity of their clients' mental health challenges; and interrogate their own cultural biases regarding sexual orientations and gender identities.

Despite the well-documented prevalence of rape as a strategy of war, little is known about the specific psychological consequences to children born of conflict-related sexual violence. The results of data analysis of 7 focus groups and 60 in-depth interviews with children born of genocidal rape in Rwanda indicated that they are carrying the trauma of their own stigmatization and marginalization, are burdened with their mothers' trauma, and, we conclude, symbolize unresolved collective trauma for the society. Analysis also reveals that healing for these young adults requires interpersonal and intrapersonal compassion and acceptance, a meaningful connection with a peer group, societal recognition, and empowerment to help contribute to and transform their lives and societies. Each of these pathways to healing—intrapersonal, interpersonal, and social—is contingent upon the other, and none can be considered in isolation. To support this largely invisible population striving to fulfill their potential, opportunities need to be created for self-acceptance and acceptance by mothers, families, and communities; sharing and building emotional and social bonds with their cohort group; formal recognition; official social rituals to validate their experiences and those of the mother–child dyad in the context of culture and community; and for socioeconomic opportunities to enable them to fully participate in building the future of Rwanda.

Research has shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) children are likely to experience chronic victimization and that these experiences correlate with numerous mental health problems. However, there is little understanding of the abuse experiences of LGBT children living in countries where rights for sexual and gender minorities are limited or nonexistent. In this chapter, we explore the child abuse experiences that contribute to LGBT individuals’ decision to flee their countries of origin in search of protection. In addition, we examine the impact of these abuse experiences on their pre-migration mental health. We conducted 26 interviews with individuals who obtained refugee or asylee status in the United States or Canada on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Participants originated from countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. We identified the following themes: abuse by parents and caregivers, abuse by peers and school personnel, having nowhere to turn, and dealing with psychological distress. Findings demonstrate that participants experienced severe verbal, physical, and sexual abuse throughout childhood and adolescence and that this abuse occurred at home, in school, and in the community. Furthermore, there were no resources or sources of protection available to them. Participants linked their abuse to subjective experiences of depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress, as well as suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. We provide implications for clinical practice as well as international policies that protect the well-being of children.

Numerous studies demonstrate that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) children and youth are likely to experience abuse by peers, parents, and other adults and that these experiences correlate with a host of mental health problems. However, there is little understanding of the experiences of LGBT children and youth living in countries where social and legal protections for sexual and gender minorities are limited or nonexistent. This qualitative study used thematic analysis to explore the child and adolescent abuse experiences and their impact on the pre-migration mental health of LGBT forced migrants. We analyzed 26 interviews with individuals who obtained refugee or asylee status in the United States or Canada on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Participants originated from countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Analysis revealed the following themes: abuse by parents and caregivers, abuse by peers and school personnel, having nowhere to turn, and dealing with psychological distress. Findings indicate that participants experienced severe verbal, physical, and sexual abuse throughout childhood and adolescence and that this abuse occurred at home, in school, and in the community. Furthermore, there were no resources or sources of protection available to them. Participants linked their abuse to subjective experiences of depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress, as well as suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. We conclude with implications for refugee adjudication practices, mental health care, and international policy.

with current psychological symptomology in a sample of YMSM aged 16-20. Methods: This study was comprised of 449 cases selected from a community-based, longitudinal sample of YMSM (N1⁄4450; aged 16-20) recruited through modified respondent-driven sampling. Participants completed computer-assisted self-interviews assessing retrospective counts of ESE incidents (trichotimized to 0, 1-4, and >5), recalled childhood gender expression (e.g., conforming vs. nonconforming), and current psychological symptom counts (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD, impulsivity, suicidality). Bivariate analyses were conducted between the measures of ESE, childhood gender expression, and mental health. Significant bivariate outcomes informed subsequent multivariable logistic regression models predicting the likelihood of psychological symptomology by ESE, and childhood gender expression. Results: Results indicated that ESE and childhood gender expression predict psychological symptoms in YMSM. The majority (53%) of the ethnically-diverse sample was African American (Latino1⁄4 20%, European American1⁄4 18%, Other1⁄4 9%), almost half the entire sample (46%) reported at least one ESE incident, and 25% of the sample reported childhood nonconformity. Compared with those not reporting ESE, YMSM reporting ESE were more likely to endorse psychological symptoms consistent with PTSD (p