SEXUAL VIOLENCE & TRANSGENDER/ NON-BINARY COMMUNITIES 47% Almost half of all transgender people have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives, and these rates are even higher for trans people of color and those who have done sex work, been homeless, or have (or had) a disability.1 Lifetime sexual victimization was much more prevalent among trans respondents who:1 65% Are American Indian 59% Are Multiracial 58% Are Middle Eastern 53% Are Black 72% Had Done Sex Work 65% Had Been Homeless 61% Had Lived with Disabilities Trans or non-binary students in grades K-12 reported significant rates of harassment, physical assault, and sexual violence. Of the respondents who were harassed or physically/sexually assaulted due to their gender expression, over half have attempted suicide.2 78% Harassment 35% Physical Assault 12% Sexual Violence 57% of trans and non-binary people said they feel uncomfortable asking the police for help. 58% who interacted with law enforcement in the past year experienced mistreatment, such as verbal harassment, repeated misgendering, physical assault, or sexual assault.1 Those who have done income-based sex work were also more likely to have experienced violence.1 77% intimate partner violence 72% sexual assault While overall rates of trans and non-binary people receiving unequal treatment at rape crisis centers are low (4.9%), trans women were 2.44 times more likely to have experienced unequal treatment. Those who engaged in sex work were four times more likely.3 2.78x Not U.S. Citizens 2.44x Trans Women 4x Past Suicide Attempt 4x Done Sex Work About This Infographic This infographic highlights some of the ways sexual violence specifically impacts transgender and non-binary people. This infographic highlights some of the ways sexual violence specifically impacts transgender and non-binary people. While the information in this infographic comes from research, it is important to keep in mind that trans and non-binary people both contributed to the creation of this infographic and are part of our collective movement to end sexual violence. Now What? Because we know that sexual violence happens at higher rates for some communities than others based on factors such as race, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, disability status, and immigration status, it is vital that we make our services inclusive. To increase access for trans and non-binary survivors, organizations can work with their local LGBT center and can complete organizational self-assessments to identify opportunities to increase access (see Resources). For more information, including resources on understanding sexual violence in various communities, go to www.nsvrc.org/publications. Definitions1 Transgender: This term, sometimes shortened to trans, is often used to describe people whose gender identity or expression differs from what is associated with the gender they were assigned at birth. Non-Binary: This term is used by some to describe people whose gender is not exclusively male or female, including those who identify as having no gender, as a gender other than male or female, or as more than one gender. Cisgender: This term, sometimes shortened to cis, is used by some to describe people whose gender identity and expression matches with the gender they were assigned at birth. References 1. James, S. E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). The report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Retrieved from the National Center for Transgender Equality: https://www.transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/USTS-Full-Report-FINAL.PDF 2. Grant, J. M., Mottet, L. A., Tanis, J., Harrison, J., Herman, J. L., & Keisling, M. (2011). Injustice at every turn: A report of the National Gender Discrimination Survey. Retrieved from The National Center for Transgender Equality: https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/resources/NTDS_Report.pdf 3. Seelman, K. L. (2015). Unequal treatment of transgender individuals in domestic violence and rape crisis programs. Journal of Social Service Research, 41, 307-325. doi:10.1080/01488376.2014.987943 Resources Trans Lifeline www.translifeline.org 1-877-565-8860 Demonstrate LGBTQ Access www.demonstrateaccess.org CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers www.lgbtcenters.org FORGE www.forge-forward.org Anti-Violence Project www.avp.org National Center for Transgender Equality www.transequality.org Transgender Law Center www.transgenderlawcenter.org © 2019 National Sexual Violence Resource Center. All rights reserved.