Violence against transgender women in the United States

Violence against transgender women in the United States includes sexual, physical, and emotional violence. These acts of gender-based violence may result in the death of a transgender woman. The stigma surrounding the transgender community and those who are gender non-conforming accompanied by the assumption of their sexual orientation is often cited as the reason for these brutal acts.[1] Data does not show that gender-based violence against transgender women happens at a higher rate than violence against cisgender women. However, young transgender women of color experience violence and murder at a rate much higher than that of their white transgender counterparts.[1]

Poster from the Drag March for Change in Chicago, IL. The march was held in June of 2020.

Sexual violence

Sexual violence is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an "experience of a sexual act (e.g., rape, unwanted sexual touching, pressure or coercion to engage in sexual acts) committed against an individual without their freely given consent".[2] The documentation of sexual assault cases against transgender individuals is limited. However, in a study conducted by Rebecca L. Strotzer in 2009, researchers found that approximately 50% of the transgender community has been affected by sexual violence. This figure is higher than the 43.9% of cisgender women who have experienced an act of sexual violence in their lifetime.[3][4] In a separate study conducted on transgender Chicago residents by Kenagy in 2005, 62% of transgender women reported that they had been victims of rape which is significantly higher than the 30% of transgender men that reported instances of forced sexual intercourse.[5]

Instances of sexual violence against transgender women happen for the first time at the median age of 15 years old.[6] The notion that transgender youth are more likely to experience acts of sexual violence has been verified by several other studies. These acts occur most often by peers and other young people. This is attributed to the way that their peers view their gender identity.[1]

Perpetrators of sexual violence against transgender women are often known by the victim, in some instances they are romantic partners or family members. A 2005 study found that, out of the instances reported by the transgender men and women, 90% of the participants said that they had been sexually assaulted by a cisgender man. Around 30% of the participants also reported being sexually assaulted at some time by a cisgender woman and 16% reported being assaulted by another transgender individual.[7]

Physical violence

Physical violence in this context is used to describe any physical interaction between two or more individuals with the intent to cause bodily harm. Physical violence against the transgender community occurs at a rate similar to that of sexual violence.[3] A study conducted of transgender individuals in Virginia found that 40% of those interviewed had experienced an instance of physical violence. Of those instances, the participants claimed that around 69% occurred because of their gender identity. The assaults occurred at a median age of 16 and were reported as early as 13 years old. At least 12% of the participants who had been assaulted previously had reported that they experienced over 20 instances of physical violence in their lifetime.[6]

Transgender women that are sex workers experience a disproportionately higher level of violence in the United States.[3] A study of MTF (male to female) transgender sex workers conducted in Washington D.C found that approximately 65% of those interviewed reported an instance of physical assault, most often by their customers.[8] When asked why they believe that they are assaulted, the transgender sex workers answered that it was because their client misunderstood their anatomy as a transgender woman. One participant stated that if the male clients see "female" breasts and "male" genitals, they expect to get a "knife through [the] throat".[9]

Emotional violence

Emotional violence in this context refers to verbal abuse directed at a person or persons with the intent to harm or humiliate the victim. In a recent study of crimes reported against transgender individuals, the researchers found that in many instances there were reports of verbal abuse directed towards the victims. The examples of verbal abuse reported during the crimes included homophobic and transphobic slurs and language. These attacks were mainly towards their gender and perceived identity. These examples of verbal abuse label the attacks as a hate crime.[1]

Violence against transgender women of color

Young transgender women of color experience violence and murder at a rate much higher than that of their white transgender counterparts.[1] A study conducted by the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition sought to examine the transgender murder rate from 1995 to 2005. The study focused on victims that were under the age of 30. Of the 51 victims that they analyzed, 91% of them were people of color. In a separate study conducted by Garofalo et al. (2006), the self-report survey revealed that 52% of the 51 transgender women of color had experienced unwanted sexual intercourse. This study also found that MTF transgender youth of color are at risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and contracting HIV.[10]

Violence towards trans women of colour is often perpetrated by a romantic partner or a potential romantic partner. Cisgender men have been found to dehumanize transgender women of color based on stereotypes that they associate with the community, for example that transgender women of color perform sex work or suffer from substance abuse. These stereotypes has been perpetuated by both straight and gay cisgender men that are seeking a romantic relationship with a transgender woman of color. Transgender women of color also report that cisgender men often engage in the hyper-sexualization of the community, leading to trans women feeling objectified.[11]

Cisgender men that enter a romantic relationship with a transgender woman of color often conceal their romantic involvement; this includes refusal to be seen with a transgender woman in public, on social media, or in any way that might suggest a relationship. This has been attributed to the social stigma surrounding these women.[11]

These forms of rejection, concealment, and over sexualization may result in psychological trauma. Some transgender women of color have reported that they have never been in a healthy relationship. This deeply affects their feelings of self worth.[11]

Resources for transgender women experiencing violence

There are several resources available for members of the LGBTQ+ community when they are in times of crisis. A notable organization is the Trevor Project, which is the leading resource for the LGBTQ+ youth that assists with crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

Another available resource is the Trans Lifeline, which is an organization that provides a hotline for direct emotional and financial support to transgender individuals.[12]

See also

References
  1. Stotzer, Rebecca L. (September 2017). "Data Sources Hinder Our Understanding of Transgender Murders". American Journal of Public Health. 107 (9): 1362–1363. doi:10.2105/ajph.2017.303973. ISSN 0090-0036. PMC 5551619. PMID 28787204.
  2. Basile, Kathleen C.; Saltzman, Linda E. (2002). "Sexual Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements". PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi:10.1037/e721362007-001. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  3. Stotzer, Rebecca L. (May 2009). "Violence against transgender people: A review of United States data". Aggression and Violent Behavior. 14 (3): 170–179. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2009.01.006. ISSN 1359-1789.
  4. Smith, Laramie R.; Yore, Jennifer; Triplett, Daniel P.; Urada, Lianne; Nemoto, Tooru; Raj, Anita (August 2017). "Impact of Sexual Violence Across the Lifespan on HIV Risk Behaviors Among Transgender Women and Cisgender People Living With HIV". JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. 75 (4): 408–416. doi:10.1097/QAI.0000000000001423. ISSN 1525-4135. PMC 5810354. PMID 28653970.
  5. Kenagy, Gretchen P.; Bostwick, Wendy B. (2005-10-11). "Health and Social Service Needs of Transgender People in Chicago". International Journal of Transgenderism. 8 (2–3): 57–66. doi:10.1300/j485v08n02_06. ISSN 1553-2739. S2CID 143089850.
  6. Xavier, Jessica; Honnold, Julie A.; Bradford, Judith (2007). "The Health, Health Related Needs, and Lifecourse Experiences of Transgender Virginians". PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi:10.1037/e544442014-001. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  7. Cook-Daniels, Loree (2008). "Transgender Aging Special Topics: Sexuality, Sexual Violence, and Elder Abuse". PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi:10.1037/e497232008-001. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  8. Valera, Roberto J.; Sawyer, Robin G.; Schiraldi, Glenn R. (2001-01-01). "Perceived Health Needs of Inner-City Street Prostitutes: A Preliminary Study". American Journal of Health Behavior. 25 (1): 50–59. doi:10.5993/ajhb.25.1.6. ISSN 1087-3244. PMID 11289729.
  9. Nemoto, T.; Operario, D.; Keatley, J.; Villegas, D. (August 2004). "Social context of HIV risk behaviours among male-to-female transgenders of colour". AIDS Care. 16 (6): 724–735. doi:10.1080/09540120413331269567. ISSN 0954-0121. PMID 15370060. S2CID 35253652.
  10. Garofalo, Robert; Deleon, Joanne; Osmer, Elizabeth; Doll, Mary; Harper, Gary W. (March 2006). "Overlooked, misunderstood and at-risk: Exploring the lives and HIV risk of ethnic minority male-to-female transgender youth". Journal of Adolescent Health. 38 (3): 230–236. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.03.023. ISSN 1054-139X. PMID 16488820.
  11. Gamarel, Kristi E.; Jadwin-Cakmak, Laura; King, Wesley M.; Lacombe-Duncan, Ashley; Trammell, Racquelle; Reyes, Lilianna A.; Burks, Cierra; Rivera, Bré; Arnold, Emily; Harper, Gary W. (2020-11-30). "Stigma Experienced by Transgender Women of Color in Their Dating and Romantic Relationships: Implications for Gender-based Violence Prevention Programs". Journal of Interpersonal Violence. doi:10.1177/0886260520976186. PMID 33256510. S2CID 227246930.
  12. "GLAAD", The SAGE Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, California 91320: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2016, doi:10.4135/9781483371283.n173, ISBN 978-1-4833-7130-6, retrieved 2020-12-10CS1 maint: location (link)
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