Formation of an intersectoral network to support trans survivors of sexual assault: A survey of health and community organizations

Abstract

Background: To address the growing international recognition of the inequities faced by transgender (trans) persons and the lack of services that attend to the specific concerns of trans sexual assault survivors, we undertook the development of an intersectoral network of hospital-based violence treatment centers and trans-positive community organizations to enhance available supports. Aims: To examine anticipated involvement of organizations in the network and determine network activities, deliverables, and values. Methods: We developed a survey with guidance from an advisory group of trans community members and their allies. Items on the survey related to network activities, deliverables, and values, which were also informed by key insights from earlier network planning meetings, were rated on a 5-point Likert scale for their importance (1 ¼ not important at all, 5 ¼ very important). Results: Sixty-four out of 93 organizations invited responded to the survey, giving a response rate of 69%. The highest prioritized network activities were: improve access to support services for trans survivors, educate trans survivors on their rights/what to expect when seeking supports and information on organizations, provide ongoing education/training for service providers on trans-affirming care, and inform guidelines on appropriate and sensitive standards of care/better practices for trans survivors (means ¼ 4.6). The highest prioritized deliverables were: provision of standardized sensitivity training on violence against trans persons for professionals and development of an online directory/resource list of transaffirming service providers and organizations that is continuously updated (means ¼ 4.5). Trauma-and violence-informed and trans-guided were the most highly rated values (means ¼ 4.8). Conclusion: These findings have implications for healthcare and community leaders seeking to collaborate across sectors to address the inequities faced by trans persons experiencing sexual assault.

Advancing Trans-Affirming Practice to Recognize, Account for, and Address the Unique Experiences and Needs of Transgender Sexual Assault Survivors

“…It is a critical moment for transgender (trans) rights worldwide, with many in public health calling for the advancement of health equity for trans communities through improved programming and policy (Restar et al, 2020). These calls arise from the fact that trans persons—those whose gender identity may not fully or in part correspond with their sex assigned at birth, including gender diverse, genderqueer, genderfluid, Two Spirit, and nonbinary individuals—often face hurdles in accessing health care, including a lack of provider knowledge, refusal of services, and harassment and violence in medical settings (Du Mont, Kosa, et al, 2020; Grant et al, 2011). Barriers to care are particularly salient in the sexual assault context in which trans persons are victimized at lifetime rates as high as 47% (James et al, 2016).…”

“…In the formation stage, we further negotiated Network identity (e.g., values, activities) by surveying our members. We learned more about the rich diversity of services and supports they provide, including LGBTQI2S-specific, sexual assault, counselling/mental health, health care, housing/shelter, youth, employment, immigration and settlement, education, advocacy, legal, and peer support (Du Mont, Kosa, et al, 2020). We also determined priority Network deliverables, two of which were the development of an online resource directory of trans-positive services and supports and the creation of a knowledge sharing portal to host information on trans-affirming practice (Du Mont, Kosa, et al, 2020).…”

Advancing community-engaged research during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from a social network analysis of the trans-LINK Network

“…For the formation stage, a survey was undertaken early fall 2019 to examine specific involvement of member organizations in the network and further determine network values, activities, and deliverables [ 22 ]. Responding member organizations (64/93) represented a rich diversity of services including, but not limited to, counselling/mental health (77%), advocacy and outreach (67%), education and training (56%), healthcare (51%), sexual assault care (46%), and care for other forms of violence (42%) and varied in size from 100 or less employees (44%) to more than 1000 employees (16%).…”

Development of a WebPortal to Advance and Mobilize Knowledge Relevant to Trans-Affirming Care for Sexual Assault Survivors in Ontario, Canada

“… 9 Based on these insights, a survey was distributed to all representatives to determine their priorities for specific Network activities and deliverables and solidify their status as Network members. 10 , 11 Survey results highlighted that, for a large majority of responding organizations (87.8%), the creation of a knowledge sharing portal to share organizational information, updates, research developments, and other resources was a priority. 10 This was an important finding as, to our knowledge, no other resource hub focused on trans-affirming care for sexual assault survivors has been available to service providers in this and other Canadian provinces.…”

“… 10 , 11 Survey results highlighted that, for a large majority of responding organizations (87.8%), the creation of a knowledge sharing portal to share organizational information, updates, research developments, and other resources was a priority. 10 This was an important finding as, to our knowledge, no other resource hub focused on trans-affirming care for sexual assault survivors has been available to service providers in this and other Canadian provinces. Existing resources internationally have tended to focus either on supporting survivors of violence or supporting trans persons, but rarely both.…”