Are children raised by gay or lesbian couples more likely to be sexually abused by a parent or by a parent’s friends or acquaintances?

There is no scientific support for fears about children of lesbian or gay parents being sexually abused by their parents or their parents’ gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered friends or acquaintances.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) just reported December, 2011 the results of the largest study done on sexual violence.  The study revealed that one in two women (44.6%) REPORT experiencing sexual violence at some point in their lives.  And, one in five men (22.2%) REPORT experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime. These are alarming statistics and they ONLY account for the sexual assaults that actually get reported.  Many victims never tell.

Since the majority of children are being raised by heterosexual parents it can be assumed that the majority of sexual abuse is occurring within heterosexual homes.

According to the APA, the concerns that are often raised about children of lesbian and gay parents’ are generally unfounded and grounded in prejudice against and stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community.

Overall, the research indicates that the children of lesbian and gay parents do not differ markedly from the children of heterosexual parents in their development, adjustment, or overall well-being.