RESEARCH REPORT Crossing the line: Lived experience of sexual violence among trans women of colour from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia
This research was conducted by researchers based in the Translational Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University, with practice expertise provided by the Gender Centre.
The project aim was to increase understanding of the lived experience of being a trans woman of colour living in Australia, in relation to gender transitioning and experiences of sexual violence. The project used a sequential mixed methods design and a feminist intersectional approach to address this aim. The research design, data collection and analysis, and outcomes from the findings were underpinned by principles of integrated knowledge translation, which included input from an advisory group and trans community stakeholders, integrating lived experience into the knowledge production and translation process.
Study methods included:
- thirty-one interviews with trans women of colour, and follow-up interviews with 19 women which included photovoice
- analysis of thirty-nine online forum threads, with 480 unique posters and 950 comments, in relation to discussion of trans sexual violence
- a national survey exploring sexual violence and women’s responses to violence that included trans women, cisgender heterosexual women and cisgender lesbian, bisexual or queer women.
The research found that trans women of colour living in Australia are more likely than other women to report having been assaulted by a stranger. The report shows that trans women of colour are subject to pervasive violence both outside and inside the home, from verbal violence—such as catcalling—to assaults. As a result, there are very few places where trans women of colour are safe from abuse. This research demonstrates that the absence of culturally competent information and knowledge about transgender experience, accompanied by misinformation, can lead to stigma, prejudice and discrimination, results in unmet health and justice needs for trans women. This can have serious consequences for trans women’s physical and psychological wellbeing.
The report includes recommendations for policy and practice.
Publication details
This work is part of the ANROWS research reports series. ANROWS research reports (Horizons) are in-depth reports on empirical research produced under ANROWS’s research program.
Authors
PROFESSOR JANE M. USSHER
Professor of Women’s Health Psychology, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
DR ALEX HAWKEY
Research Associate, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
PROFESSOR JANETTE PERZ
Professor and Director of the Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
PROFESSOR PRANEE LIAMPUTTONG
Professor of Public Health, Translational Health Research Institute and School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University
DR BRAHMAPUTRA MARJADI
Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University
PROFESSOR VIRGINIA SCHMIED
Professor and Deputy Dean, Research and Engagement, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University
DR TINASHE DUNE
Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University
MS JESSICA AASHA SEKAR
Research Assistant, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
MS SAMANTHA RYAN
Research Assistant, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
MS ROSIE CHARTER
Research Assistant, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
MR JACK THEPSOURINTHONE
Research Assistant, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
DR KYJA NOACK-LUNDBERG
Research Officer, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
DR ELOISE BROOK
The Gender Centre, Sydney
ISBN: 978-1-925925-41-8 (print) | 978-1-925925-34-0 (online)
191 pp.
Suggested citation
Ussher, J. M., Hawkey, A., Perz, J., Liamputtong, P., Marjadi, B., Schmied, V., Dune, T., Sekar, J. A., Ryan, S., Charter, R., Thepsourinthone, J., Noack-Lundberg, K., & Brook, E. (2020). Crossing the line: Lived experience of sexual violence among trans women of colour from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia (Research report, 14/2020). Sydney: ANROWS.