Experiences and factors associated with transphobic hate crimes among transgender women in the San Francisco Bay Area: comparisons across race
Background
Trans women experience high rates of gender-based violence (GBV). Little is understood about factors that shape transphobic hate crimes (a form of GBV) and racial/ethnic variation in these experiences. To contextualize GBV risk and police reporting, we examined self-reported types and correlates of transphobic hate crimes by racial/ethnic group of trans women in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Methods
From 2016-2018, trans women participated in an HIV epidemiological study. Data analyses (N=629) examined self-reported experiences of transphobic hate crimes by race/ethnicity, and whether hate crimes were reported to the police. Chi-square tests and simple logistic regression examined sociocultural and gender identity factors associated with transphobic violence experiences and police reporting.
Results
About 45.8% of participants reported ever experiencing transphobic hate crime; only 48.9% of these were reported to the police. Black (47.9%) and Latina (49.0%) trans women reported a higher prevalence of battery with a weapon; White (26.7%) and trans women of “other” race/ethnicities (25.0%) reported a higher prevalence of sexual assault (p=0.001). Having one’s gender questioned, history of sex work, homelessness as a child and adult, and a history incarceration were associated with higher odds of experiencing transphobic hate crime. Trans women who felt their gender identity questioned had lower odds of reporting a hate crime to the police compared to those did not feel questioned.
Conclusions
A high proportion of trans women experienced transphobic hate crime, with significant socio-structural risk factors and racial differences by crime type. However, crimes were underreported to the police. Interventions that address structural factors can yield violence prevention benefits.
Posted 04 Jan, 2021
Invitations sent on 31 Dec, 2020
On 31 Dec, 2020
On 30 Dec, 2020
On 30 Dec, 2020
On 24 Dec, 2020
Experiences and factors associated with transphobic hate crimes among transgender women in the San Francisco Bay Area: comparisons across race
Posted 04 Jan, 2021
Invitations sent on 31 Dec, 2020
On 31 Dec, 2020
On 30 Dec, 2020
On 30 Dec, 2020
On 24 Dec, 2020
Background
Trans women experience high rates of gender-based violence (GBV). Little is understood about factors that shape transphobic hate crimes (a form of GBV) and racial/ethnic variation in these experiences. To contextualize GBV risk and police reporting, we examined self-reported types and correlates of transphobic hate crimes by racial/ethnic group of trans women in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Methods
From 2016-2018, trans women participated in an HIV epidemiological study. Data analyses (N=629) examined self-reported experiences of transphobic hate crimes by race/ethnicity, and whether hate crimes were reported to the police. Chi-square tests and simple logistic regression examined sociocultural and gender identity factors associated with transphobic violence experiences and police reporting.
Results
About 45.8% of participants reported ever experiencing transphobic hate crime; only 48.9% of these were reported to the police. Black (47.9%) and Latina (49.0%) trans women reported a higher prevalence of battery with a weapon; White (26.7%) and trans women of “other” race/ethnicities (25.0%) reported a higher prevalence of sexual assault (p=0.001). Having one’s gender questioned, history of sex work, homelessness as a child and adult, and a history incarceration were associated with higher odds of experiencing transphobic hate crime. Trans women who felt their gender identity questioned had lower odds of reporting a hate crime to the police compared to those did not feel questioned.
Conclusions
A high proportion of trans women experienced transphobic hate crime, with significant socio-structural risk factors and racial differences by crime type. However, crimes were underreported to the police. Interventions that address structural factors can yield violence prevention benefits.