Global Perspectives on Sexual Violence Against LGBTQIA+ Populations: A Multidisciplinary Critique of Public Health, Forensic Medicine, and Human Rights Protections

Sexual violence against LGBTQIA+ populations constitutes a pervasive yet persistently underrecognized manifestation of structural inequality with profound public health, legal, and social consequences. Despite growing visibility, sexual and gender minorities continue to experience disproportionately high risks of sexual victimization across the life course, driven by intersecting systems of stigma, discrimination, minority stress, and institutional exclusion. This state-of-the-art review synthesizes contemporary evidence from epidemiology, public health, forensic science, and legal scholarship to characterize the scope, patterns, and determinants of sexual violence affecting LGBTQIA+ populations globally. The review examines prevalence estimates, victimization trajectories, and perpetrator profiles, alongside the short- and long-term health consequences associated with sexual violence, including physical injury, sexually transmitted infections, trauma-related mental health disorders, suicidality, and increased risk of chronic disease. These outcomes collectively contribute to substantial and persistent health disparities among sexual and gender minorities. In parallel, the review critically assesses the performance of legal, judicial, law enforcement, forensic, and clinical systems, identifying recurrent gaps in legal protection, discriminatory practices, insufficient training, and deficiencies in survivor-centered and trauma-informed care. By integrating multidisciplinary evidence, this review conceptualizes sexual violence against LGBTQIA+ populations as a structural phenomenon embedded within broader systems of social and institutional injustice. The findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated, multisectoral strategies encompassing inclusive policy reform, standardized and inclusive surveillance systems, culturally competent prevention initiatives, and trauma-informed responses across health and justice sectors. Addressing sexual violence in these populations requires structural transformation and sustained political commitment to reduce inequities and advance health and human rights.