[News] [Australia] Time to tackle widespread transphobia

[Stephanie Stevens]

Same Same, Australia


Time to tackle widespread transphobia

Matt Akersten

Tue 20th Nov, 2012 in Local News


Today is worldwide Transgender Day of Remembrance, and the
just-revealed survey of over 500 Australian transgender people clearly
shows why the day is significant.

51% of those surveyed about the Transgender Anti-Violence Project by
The Gender Centre over February and March (participants were found at
Mardi Gras Fair Day and via Facebook) said they’d experienced a
transphobic incident themselves – either verbal abuse, physical abuse
or discrimination.

But only 22% had reported the incident to the authorities. Some feared
their concerns would not be taken seriously, and others did not want
to be ‘outed’ in a police report.

“I just feel that being verbally abused on a train for the whole two
hour trip would not be taken seriously, and I’d just be laughed at,”
said one survey respondent. “I also felt that because there was no
blood or physical injuries, that there was no point reporting.”

Another believed there was no point in going to the police. “I would
never report a transphobic incident,” they said. “Attacking trannies
is not a crime in NSW.”

Through its Transgender Anti-Violence Project, NSW Police and City of
Sydney are hoping those affected by transphobic incidents will speak
up. 71% of the survey respondents from New South Wales had heard of
the project, and many said they’d contact an LGBTI or
transgender-specific organisation about their concerns before or
instead of turning to the police.

Launched in NSW Parliament House today, the survey report concluded
that recent measures by NSW Police to reach out to transgender people
were leading to increased reporting of transphobic crimes, but
recommended this be broadened out to smaller regional areas – where
ignorance of trans people by local cops can lead to insult and
humiliation.

Violence against transgender people continues to be a problem around
the world, one being spotlighted in recent years as more specific
information comes to light. There were 1,083 reported killings of
trans people worldwide from 2008 to 2012, with research showing the
number of deaths has risen each year.

Find more details about the Transgender Anti-Violence Project here
<http://www.tavp.org.au/> .

And discover more about what’s happening for Transgender Day of
Remembrance today here
<http://www.samesame.com.au/news/local/9154/Enlightening-the-world-on-Transgender-Day-of-Remembrance.htm>
.


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