Violence against transgender individuals has become an increasingly prevalent issue in recent years, with reports showing that they are disproportionately affected by physical assault, verbal harassment, psychological abuse, and even murder. According to research conducted by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, transgender people are four times more likely to experience violent victimization than their cisgender counterparts. This is due to various cultural, social, and institutional factors that contribute to this trend, including discrimination, misconceptions about gender identity and expression, and lack of legal protections. To prevent harm and promote safety for transgender individuals, multi-layered interventions are needed to address these factors at the individual, community, and societal levels.
Cultural Factors
One cultural factor contributing to violence against transgender individuals is the widespread misconception that gender identity and expression should be binary and fixed. Many people believe that there are only two genders, male and female, and that those who do not conform to these categories are either mentally ill or morally wrong. This belief can lead to stigma and discrimination towards transgender people, making them targets for violence.
Many cultures have traditionally upheld strict gender roles, which may not accommodate non-binary identities or expressions.
Some cultures expect men to be masculine and women to be feminine, and any deviation from these norms may be met with hostility or violence.
Social Factors
Another social factor contributing to violence against transgender individuals is the prevalence of hate crimes motivated by bigotry or prejudice. Transgender people may be targeted because they challenge traditional gender norms or because they are perceived as "different" or "abnormal." These crimes often go unreported, as victims may fear retaliation or further victimization if their attackers are not held accountable.
Transgender individuals may face discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare, and other areas due to bias and stereotypes about their gender identity or expression.
Institutional Factors
Institutional factors such as lack of legal protections also contribute to violence against transgender individuals. In many countries around the world, including the United States, transgender people are not explicitly protected under anti-discrimination laws. As a result, they may experience harassment, discrimination, and even termination from jobs simply for being themselves. This can lead to financial instability, homelessness, and increased vulnerability to violence.
Many public spaces and services are not gender-neutral, which can create unsafe environments for transgender people who do not fit into traditional male/female categories.
Preventing Harm and Promoting Safety
To prevent harm and promote safety for transgender individuals, multi-layered interventions are needed at the individual, community, and societal levels. Individual interventions include educating oneself on transgender issues and advocating for inclusivity and acceptance. Community interventions involve working with local organizations and support groups to provide resources and support to transgender individuals. Societal interventions involve pushing for policy changes that protect transgender rights and promote equality. By addressing these cultural, social, and institutional factors, we can create safer spaces for all genders and sexualities to thrive.
What cultural, social, and institutional factors contribute to violence against transgender individuals, and how can multi-layered interventions prevent harm and promote safety?
The United States has experienced an increased incidence of violence against transgender people over the past decade with at least 20% of the American population experiencing some form of discrimination based on their gender identity or expression (Kreiselman et al. , 2017).