Effects of violence on transgender people.

Abstract

While recent research on transgender populations has demonstrated high rates of experiencing violence, there has been little research attention to the mental health implications of these experiences. This study utilized data collected from the Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Survey (THIS) of transgender people (individuals who described their gender identity as different from their sex assigned at birth) collected from 2005-2006. Current study analyses were limited to two subgroups: trans women (n = 179) and trans men (n = 92). We hypothesized that, as in the general population, exposure to physical and sexual violence would be related to suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and substance abuse. Both trans women and trans men in this sample were at high risk for physical and sexual violence, as well as suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Logistic regression analyses indicated that among both trans women and trans men, those who had endured physical and/or sexual violence were significantly more likely than those who had not had such experiences to report a history of suicide attempt and multiple suicide attempts. In addition, among trans men, history of physical and sexual violence were each related to alcohol abuse. Among trans women, history of sexual violence was related to alcohol abuse and illicit substance use. Patterns of violence against transgender people were identified and are discussed, including frequent gender-related motivation for violence, low prevalence of reporting violence to police, and variety of perpetrators of violence. Clinical implications and recommendations are provided.

Physical and/or Sexual Abuse Is Associated with Increased Psychological and Emotional Distress Among Transgender Women

“…Studies published in the past 5 years report a significant association between incidents of self-reported physical and sexual abuse and a lifetime prevalence of suicidal behaviors. 2 A recently completed 3-year prospective study of trans women demonstrated similar results, with significant associations between physical gender abuse and major depressive symptoms. 8 Another study of 135 trans women found that those who reported interpersonal trauma and discriminatory life events were 29.9% more likely to engage in self-injurious behavior, and 34.8% had attempted suicide.…”

“…[2][3][4] Over the past decade, survey-based research with trans women has found reported rates of physical abuse ranging from 39% to 47%, 2,4-6 and sexual abuse rates ranging from 50% to 59%. 4,7 The observed mental health correlates of such physical and sexual abuse among communities of trans women are pronounced.…”

Connecting the Dots: Examining Transgender Women’s Utilization of Transition-Related Medical Care and Associations with Mental Health, Substance Use, and HIV

“…29 The link between stigma and depression may be strong in the trans community because transgender people face an inordinate amount of stigma due to the perception that they transgress sexuality and gender norms. 30 For transwomen, having an appearance that does not transgress typical conceptions of gender may be protective from violence and discrimination, and subsequently to depression and suicide.…”

Hate Crimes Against Trans People: Assessing Emotions, Behaviors, and Attitudes Toward Criminal Justice Agencies

“…Woods and Herman (2014) reflect that there is often little "pay-off" (p. 283) for trans communities in reporting incidents to the police, based on the fact that law enforcement agencies have become implicated in gender hierarchies which ultimately expose trans people to further emotional and social harms (see also Miles-Johnson, 2015b). As a result, the majority of trans victims of hate crime do not report incidents to the police (Testa et al, 2012 22 ; Williams & Tregidga, 2013). 23 Despite these relatively negative views of the police, Williams and Tregidga's (2013) survey showed that many trans people would still encourage a victim of hate crime to report it to the police.…”