Que(e)r(y)ing gender-based assaults of trans-identifying people

Section A presents a systematic review of the empirical literature on dating violence (DV) among young trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people. The review synthesises what is known about the prevalence of DV among TGNC youth and their risk relative to cisgender peers; how relative DV risk compares to non-dating victimisation experiences, and the psychosocial/structural correlates of DV identified in this group. The literature is critically appraised, outlining some robust findings as well as significant methodological limitations. Synthesised findings are discussed and implications for research and practice are considered.

Section B presents a grounded theory of barriers to help-seeking among trans survivors of sexual violence (SV). With reference to 10 themes, the model illustrates how psychosocial conditions (‘Navigating narratives of blame’; ‘Carrying lots of shame’; ‘Questioning my validity as a victim’; ‘Normalising sexual violence’; ‘Problematising felt gender’) combine with service-level interactions (‘Fearing the power of services’; ‘Being a curious object’; ‘Feeling unseen’) to inhibit support-seeking and maintain victimisation risk (‘Remaining vulnerable’; ‘Needing more from services’). The substantive theory suggests that help-seeking is compromised by trans identity being cyclically undermined and/or overemphasised in its relationship to SV. The model is discussed with reference to existing theories of help-seeking and minority experience, with clinical/policy implications considered