Trans people seem to be victims of domestic violence more often than average, yet social services hardly reach them. In the study Onzichtbaar in twee werelden (Invisible in two worlds), Atria investigated why this group often stays out of the picture and provides recommendations on how counselling services can connect better.
Trans people seem to be victims of domestic violence more often than average, yet social services hardly reach them. In the study Onzichtbaar in twee werelden (Invisible in two worlds), Atria investigated why this group often stays out of the picture and provides recommendations on how counselling services can connect better.
For the study, trans victims of domestic violence, social workers and staff from transgender care and advocacy organisations were interviewed. The findings show a lack of support for trans people who have experienced domestic violence and child abuse. Within transgender care and advocacy organisations, domestic violence is mostly invisible. At the same time, aid organisations do not sufficiently recognise transness or know how to deal with it. This hinders appropriate and effective support for this group of victims.
"I felt as a child that I was broken, so the social worker didn't need to fix me, because it wasn't their problem that I was broken."
Trans victims of domestic violence
The research shows that domestic violence often does intertwine with the victims' being trans. For instance, the violence can occur when someone transitions and the home environment does not accept it. In some cases, being trans is used to hurt people. Or trans persons themselves become insecure from negative reactions which make them 'accept' domestic violence. Feelings of inferiority result in some victims not daring to seek help.
On top of this, psychological violence against trans people, such as denying someone's gender identity or obstructing a transition, is often not defined as domestic violence by social workers. The study's researchers warn that this is unjustified and it hinders adequate counselling: "Denying someone's gender identity and obstructing any needed care is a form of violence that can cause serious harm. Aid workers often do not yet recognise this as, for example, emotional neglect or humiliation. While it most certainly is."
Little trust
It also appears that many trans people have little trust in agencies that offer help with domestic violence, due to previous negative reactions to their being trans. When counsellors are aware of transgender issues and actively promote them, it lowers the threshold for trans victims of domestic violence to seek help, the study concludes.
"It is very important that this research is there now. It not only gives insight into what often goes wrong now, but also makes clear how we can offer transgender victims better help. I hope that all parties, from local advocacy organisations to government, will take the recommendations to heart and together we can achieve a more effective approach."
Recommendations for better aid provision
The study makes several recommendations for aid organisations and social workers, transgender care, local advocacy organisations, and for municipalities and government.
Increase knowledge of transgender issues within organisations providing help with domestic violence and child abuse. For example, through healthcare training, in-service training programmes or at the police academy. More knowledge about transgender themes and the (paid) use of experiential expertise contributes to better assistance and protection.
Encourage knowledge of domestic violence within transgender care and advocacy organisations, so that they can better recognise this violence and act appropriately.
