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Supporting Trans Victims of Domestic ViolenceChase Willier, Morgane OgerThis slidehow lives at: http://tinyurl.com/CBC2015TW
BC Collaborates to Stop Sexual and Domestic Violence
Dec. 9 - 10 2015Conference
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Chase Willier - NIRKwUSCIN
Perspectives
● Personal Lived Experience● Not front line workers● Trans advocacy
Trans specific concerns
“Although there are shared experiences common to LGB and trans communities-for example, shame, isolation, prejudice and discrimination, and hate crimes - trans people of all sexual orientations have specific concerns that do not overlap with the LGB community.” (125) White and Goldberg.
Genderbread Person V3 Biological SexSexual AttractionGender IdentityGender Expression
Some trans identities:Two-Spirit, Trans Transgender,Transsexual,AndrogynousFtM, Bi-Gender, MtF, CrossdresserDrag king/queenGender-Variant,Genderqueer,Queer, LGBT
Face of anti-trans discrimination...2014 US study:
● Trans women are 15.5x more likely to be murdered in an hate crime than gay & bi men.
● Victim identities dominated by violence against racialized trans women (TWOC).
Face of anti-trans discrimination...
2015 UBC School of Nursing Canada-Wide Study of Trans Youth:
● two thirds reported discrimination because of their gender identity and about half reported discrimination due to their physical appearance.
● 70% reported sexual harassment
Trans Pulse (Ontario)Medical Care Study - 2011
● 29% were unable to get emergency care they need
● 21% avoided ER care
● 52% reported negative ER experience
Face of anti-trans discrimination...Difficulties experienced by transgender and gender-variant persons - Canada:
● 97% of trans people have been harassed at work● 26% lost their job because of gender identity● 36% have had suicidal thoughts that year● 13% said they were constructively dismissed for being
transgender● 10% have attempted suicide
-Public Service Alliance Canada (2011)
Face of anti-trans discrimination...
The problem is not from being transgender.
Harm comes from society’s reaction to transgender persons.
M. Oger 2015
Data: Violence and RefusalHomeless Hub reports: 1 in 3 transgender youth will be rejected by a shelter on account of their gender identity/expression.
The Maine Coalition against Sexual Assault (MECASA) reported in 2009:1. Most Studies reveal: ~ 50% of transgender people experience sexual
violence at some point in their lifetime.2. One in ten transgender individuals have been sexually assaulted in a
healthcare setting.3. No data on sexual violence experienced by intersex individuals is
available.
This Affects Many of Us
● 2% of world population is intersex● 2% of world has red hair
● ½% of Canadians are believed to be gender-variant● 1% of Canadians rely on wheelchairs● 4.4% of Canadians report having a disability
● 12,000 Trans, (48,000) intersex persons in Metro Vancouver● 175,000 Trans, 700,000 intersex Canadians
Social Context of violence against trans people● Abuse, abandonment from family, friends, and communities of origin
● Teasing & bullying from peers in school
● Loss of employment & difficulty finding work
● Verbal harassment and physical/sexual violence (including hate crimes)
● Refusal of medical treatment, or unwanted psychiatric or medical
intervention
● Denial of housing and access to health and social services
● Discrimination within the justice system
Why is Trans Inclusion Needed?The lack of services and supports. ● Lack of knowledge or understanding of how
to support trans individuals.● Disproportionate numbers affected by
violence.● Best Practices example: Victoria Sexual
Assault Centre.- www.vsac.ca/org/transinclusion/
The Basic Need of Survivors● Feeling safe, affirmed and respected.● Inclusive space.● Be Treated as the person you feel you are. Gender
Identity, pronouns,etc.● Avoid associating sex characteristics with gender.● Basic needs first: homelessness, access to healthcare,
food-meals (access to) economics.
Survivors: Trans Specific Concerns● Gender/body dysphoria relating to body parts that were violated, ● Particularly traumatic to describe the details of a sexual or physical assault
and medical exams.● Trans men who have not had a hysterectomy may need assistance in
considering the possibility of a pregnancy from the assault. ● People who cross-live part time may want to change their appearance
before seeking medical or legal help.● Early-transition sexual assault reinforces isolation.
Forge - Service Impacts 1/2
Forge - Service Impacts 2/2
Barriers: Leaving abusive relationship
● Recognizing violence● Isolation● Loss of community● Economic barriers● Lack of ‘safe’ space● Internalized homo/trans/bi phobia
Barriers: Reporting abuse● Fear of police, health, anti-violence & other emergency
services (historical)● Breach of confidentiality● Viewed as deviant● Fear of deportation● Fear of custody/access issues● Partner not acknowledged● Violence not acknowledged● Gender identity not acknowledged● Inconsistent ID/photos
Barrier: Seeking Services
● Identifying services○ Who helps people in my situation?○ Will they actually open the door?
● Knowledge? Resources?○ Do they have competencies?
■ Non-intersectional, binary, heterosexual frameworks problematic■ Is there LGBT conflation?
Improving Trans AccessibilityFactors affecting the verbal and emotional environment
○ names, pronouns, Questions asked, Privacy of Information, demeanor, written materials on website
Factors affecting the physical environment
○ toilets,change rooms,dress codes,content in waiting rooms, forms
- The 519 Creating Authentic Spaces Toolkit
Why Have Trans Inclusive Policies?● Knowledge = Protection● Familiarity creates understanding● Accidental discrimination reduced
○ Can’t enforce what you don’t know○ Can’t embrace what you don’t see○ Systemic Discrimination: a root cause.
● Enforce/enshrine with CLEAR POLICY● Support with cultural reinforcement
Useful references
Thank you
(This slide show can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/CBC2015TW)
Resources - GeneralGender Diversity 101 - 2014Stressors Affecting Trans Parents - Trans Pulse Survey - 2015Being Safe, Being Me - 2015 UBC Trans Youth SurveyThe Genderbread Person (v3) by Sam Killermann, adapted from aHomeless Hub (2014)Forge-Forward Trans-101BC Society of Transition HousesCity of Vancouver Parks Board GuidelinesTransitioning our Shelters (USA, 2002)
Workshops and Resources● Trans Inclusion (The 519)● VASC: Expression-inclusion-workshop:● (Trans Inclusion Update)(Why Trans Inclusion) ● Providing Welcoming Environments (FORGE) (WAVNET)● Safety Planning Across Culture and Community-(Trans Risk Assessment
Tool (EVA BC)● Power and Control Tactics in Domestic Violence (Forge)● Anti-Violence (Forge)● Training (AVP)● Examples of Best Practices and Models (WAVAW)● Understanding Gendered Violence (Journal Publication)● White, C. & Goldberg, J. (2006).
Expanding our understanding of gendered violence: violence against trans people and their loved ones. Canadian Women’s Studies Journal, 25(1–2), 124–8.
