Navigating vulnerability: LGBTQ+ students’ experiences of child sexual abuse in Thai schools

Purpose This study investigates the experiences of LGBTQ+ students in Thai schools who have faced or are vulnerable to child sexual abuse (CSA). It aims to understand how school environments, institutional responses and broader societal attitudes shape the risks and impacts of CSA on LGBTQ+ youth. The research addresses a significant gap in the literature by focusing on CSA through an LGBTQ+ lens in a Southeast Asian context, highlighting systemic neglect and the need for inclusive safeguarding measures. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research design was employed using in-depth interviews and focus groups with ten LGBTQ+ student participants, as well as teachers, school counselors and policymakers. Data were analyzed thematically to uncover patterns of victimization, institutional responses and barriers to protection. The study used a purposive sampling strategy and applied trauma-informed ethical practices throughout. Themes were triangulated across stakeholder groups to ensure reliability and depth of interpretation. Findings The findings revealed that LGBTQ+ students in Thai schools face elevated risks of CSA, particularly from peers and authority figures. Participants described widespread institutional inaction, harmful victim-blaming and lack of LGBTQ+-inclusive support systems. Prevention programs rarely addressed the specific risks LGBTQ+ students encounter, and school staff often lacked the training or authority to respond effectively. Many survivors reported mental health challenges, social withdrawal and academic disruption. These findings point to systemic failures that leave LGBTQ+ students unprotected and unsupported in educational settings. Research limitations/implications This study focused on a relatively small sample size in urban and semi-urban Thai schools, which may limit generalizability to other contexts, including rural or international school settings. In addition, as the research relied on retrospective self-reporting, there may be memory bias in participant accounts. Despite these limitations, the study offers important insights into a highly under-researched population and sets the stage for larger-scale and longitudinal studies on CSA risks among LGBTQ+ youth in Southeast Asia. Practical implications The study underscores the need for immediate reform in CSA prevention programs to include LGBTQ+-specific content and risk factors. Training for educators and counselors should address LGBTQ+ issues explicitly, equipping staff to respond with cultural competence and trauma-informed care. Schools must develop clear policies for responding to CSA involving authority figures and create safe reporting channels for LGBTQ+ students. The integration of peer-led support groups and inclusive counseling services will further help mitigate harm and improve reporting outcomes. Social implications This research highlights the urgent need to challenge heteronormative norms and institutional silence that perpetuate CSA risks for LGBTQ+ students in Thailand. Raising public awareness, reducing stigma and engaging families in acceptance-based education are critical to dismantling systemic barriers. The study calls for a national conversation about inclusive child protection that affirms LGBTQ+ identities and ensures that school environments are safe for all. Ignoring these issues not only undermines students’ rights but also perpetuates cycles of trauma, silence and exclusion. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to center the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ students facing CSA in the Thai school system. It contributes new empirical knowledge from a non-Western context and exposes a significant policy and practice gap in existing child protection frameworks. By giving voice to marginalized youth, the study advances the discourse on inclusive safeguarding, expands the understanding of CSA beyond heteronormative narratives, and offers actionable pathways for policy reform in Thailand and other similar contexts.