A new specialist counselling service for LGBT+ people affected by sexual abuse is planned in Denmark from 2027. Aids-Fondet says its clinics already hear from many people about violations and assaults, but visitors need support that understands their experiences and can connect them with established services.

Key takeaways

  • A clear need: Around one-third of people attending Aids-Fondet clinics reported experiencing sexual harassment or assault in a self-registration survey.
  • A new service: Aids-Fondet is due to receive DKK 900,000 a year from 2027 to 2030 to trial specialist counselling.
  • Access across Denmark: In-person advice is planned in Copenhagen, with online support available elsewhere.
  • A link to wider help: The service is intended to offer tailored support and connect people with existing assault services.

A specialist service could fill a difficult gap

For people who have experienced sexual abuse, finding somewhere to speak openly can be hard enough. LGBT+ people may also need advisers who understand the pressures and boundaries that can arise in their communities and dating lives.

Aids-Fondet says around 33 per cent of people passing through its clinics reported a sexual violation or assault in a self-registration form. The organisation sees about 12,000 people through its clinics each year, giving it a direct view of the need for support.

The new counselling service is expected to begin in 2027. It will be based in Copenhagen for face-to-face appointments, with online access for people elsewhere in Denmark.

Why Aids-Fondet is stepping in

Aids-Fondet works with sexual health and runs Checkpoint clinics in several parts of Denmark. Visitors can get tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and the clinics also provide a setting where people may disclose experiences of abuse.

Until now, the organisation hasn't been able to offer the specialist counselling those conversations can call for. The new funding gives it a chance to test a dedicated service rather than leave visitors to navigate support alone.

The funding comes through Denmark's SSA agreement, which distributes more than DKK 450 million for initiatives including support for vulnerable children and people experiencing homelessness.

Tailored support, with a bridge to existing services

Specialist advice isn't meant to replace established sexual assault services. Instead, Aids-Fondet says it wants to make support feel more accessible to LGBT+ people, while helping them connect with the wider help already available.

That bridge matters. A service can exist on paper and still feel difficult to approach if people don't see their experiences reflected in it. Aids-Fondet has pointed to figures from the Centre for Sexual Assault at Rigshospitalet suggesting that sexual minorities use existing services only to a limited extent.

Research into LGBT+ people's living conditions and support needs also forms part of the wider picture. The practical challenge will be making sure people know where to turn, whether they prefer a quiet online conversation or a face-to-face appointment.

What people looking for help can expect

The planned service is designed for people affected by sexual abuse who want support that takes their identity and circumstances into account. Its national reach will depend in part on online counselling, while the Copenhagen base offers an in-person option.

If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, consider contacting a specialist service or a trusted health professional to discuss available support. No one should have to work out every next step alone, and a more tailored first conversation can make reaching further help feel less daunting.

A promising first step, with delivery still to come

The DKK 900,000 annual funding covers a trial period from 2027 to 2030, so the service is a planned initiative rather than a counselling option available now. Its impact will depend on whether LGBT+ people can find it, feel safe using it and get connected to longer-term care when needed.

That's a modest but meaningful aim: making the first door into support easier to open.

A trusted, specialist first step can make the route to wider help feel more possible.

Source Reference Map

Story idea inspired by: [1]

Sources by paragraph: