LGBTQI+ young people face disproportionate levels of sexual violence and exploitation globally. Yet in many countries, they remain invisible - in health systems, policies, research and prevention programming. 

In many parts of the world where same-sex relationships are criminalised, collecting evidence comes with significant risks for these young people who are already facing high levels of stigma and discrimination. In this episode we explore the consequences of this invisibility, how we can gather data that can be used in meaningful ways to improve the lives of LGBTQI+ youth, and how we can build protection systems that give them a voice, whilst safeguarding their rights, dignity and safety.

Your host is: Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI).

This episode’s guests are:

• Nicolas Makharashvili - Director at Safe Futures Hub

• Stephanie Spaid Miedema - Sociologist and public health scientist

🎧 Listen to learn:

➡︎ Why LGBTQI+ children and youth are often excluded from global research

➡︎ About the ethical and practical challenges of collecting safe, inclusive data.➡︎ How stigma and social norms increase vulnerability to sexual violence.➡︎ Recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners

🌍Sign up for the SVRI Forum 2026 here! 

⚡Follow SVRI on Instagram.

🌐Check out the SVRI website.

🎥 Watch our film on YouTube.

💬 Connect with the SVRI svri@svri.org and our host, Ayesha Mago.

🎙️ An OG Podcasts Ltd production.

Resources:

• Report - Silence Is Not Protection: The Hidden Crisis of Sexual Violence Against LGBTQI+ Children and Youth

• Report - The future of survey research with the world's sexual or gender minority youth