International Transgender Day of Visibility
Women face many barriers, challenges, and forms of violence in relationships with abusive partners, during and after leaving, and while navigating family court. Trans women experience higher rates of violence than cisgender women, with Black and Indigenous transgender women facing some of the highest levels of harm.
The following statistics come from national survey research on intimate partner violence experienced by transgender people in Canada. They reflect the reported experiences of trans women with current or former partners:
- 56% of Trans women had a partner that insulted, swore, shouted, or yelled at them
- 24% of Trans women were threatened with harm by a partner
- 29% of Trans women had a partner push, shove, shake, or pin them down
- 33% of Trans women were forced or pressured to engage in sexual activity when they did not want to
Three in five trans women have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) since the age of 16.
In addition to the forms of abuse commonly seen in a relationship where a trans woman is being abused, they may face tactics that specifically target their gender identity. An abusive partner may:
- be outed by an abusive partner
- have an abusive partner refuse to use correct pronouns or name
- restrict access to gender affirming care or resources
- instill transphobic beliefs in their children to turn them against their mother
This violence may also extend into the family court process, where trans women may face discrimination, bias, and continued abuse from both their former partner and, at times, within the legal system itself. Trans women may experience the court or their abuser in court:
- referring to them by the incorrect name (deadnaming) in court documents or in person
- using the wrong pronouns
- having trans identity weaponized or pathologized as a mental health issue
- claiming their identity makes them an unfit parent
At Luke’s Place, we use the term women to include all women (including two-spirited, cisgender or transgender women) 16 years of age and older. International Transgender Day of Visibility is a time to reflect and renew our commitment to dismantling systems of transphobia in family court and beyond. Everyone deserves to live a life free of violence and discrimination, regardless of their gender identity. If you are a woman subjected to intimate partner violence, please visit LukesPlace.ca/for-women/
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