RESEARCH SUMMARY

Crossing the line: Lived experience of sexual violence among trans women of colour from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia. Key findings and future directions

This is an edited summary of key findings from ANROWS research Crossing the line: Lived experience of sexual violence among trans women of colour from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia.

This research set out 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.

IN BRIEF

Background

• Sexual violence is a pervasive and damaging experience in many women’s lives.
• Trans women experience higher rates of sexual violence than cisgender women, with trans women of colour at highest risk.
• The experiences and needs of trans women in relation to sexual violence remain poorly understood by many healthcare providers, legislators, police and policymakers. The experiences and needs of trans women of colour and those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are the least understood.
• The absence of culturally competent information and knowledge about transgender experience, accompanied by misinformation, can lead to stigma, prejudice and discrimination, resulting in unmet needs for trans women. This can have serious consequences for trans women’s physical and psychological wellbeing.

Key findings

• There are positive implications for trans women’s overall health and wellbeing when trans women feel included and accepted.
• Trans women of colour from CALD backgrounds, as well as women who identify as lesbian, bisexual or queer, may experience additional prejudice and discrimination due to the intersection of gender, sexuality, social class, race and religion.
• Support in gender transitioning, through facilitation of access to hormone therapy, reduces the risk of transphobic violence.
• CALD trans women’s experiences of gender-based sexual violence are comparable with those of non-CALD trans women and cisgender women, however trans women also experience transphobic violence.

Key recommendations

• Conduct further awareness-raising and education for healthcare providers, legislators, police and policymakers, as well as the general public, in relation to transgender experience and gender transitioning.
• Challenge societal attitudes which support, condone or trivialise sexual violence against women, including violence against trans women.
• Ensure policy and practice documents and clinical guidelines use language that is inclusive of gender and sexuality diversity when discussing sexual violence against women.

 

 

Publication details

ANROWS Research to policy and practice papers are concise papers that summarise key findings of research on violence against women and their children, including research produced under ANROWS’s research program, and provide advice on the implications for policy and practice.

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Suggested citation

Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. (2020). Crossing the line: Lived experience of sexual violence among trans women of colour from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia. Key findings and future directions (Research to policy and practice, 14/2020). Sydney: ANROWS.