Insights in the way safety can be improved for transgender asylum seekers. A study focused on increasing safety for transgender people in asylum seekers centres, which could lead to a better well-being of the target group

M. van der Wal

This research addresses the unsafety issue for transgender asylum seekers in asylum seek centres (Hereafter referred as ASCs), due to violence from other asylum seekers and inadequate support by employees in the ASCs as a result of transphobic attitudes. Literature shows a lack of insights of views, needs, knowledge, and experiences of transgender asylum seekers regarding safety in ASCs. The research was focused on how the safety of transgender people in ASCs in the Netherlands can be improved through the needs, views, and experiences of transgender asylum seekers. This was substantiated by the perspectives of professionals. The research that has been conducted concerns a qualitative research. Four interviews with transgender asylum seekers and refugees, one with a LGBT rights advocate, and four with professionals from Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland VWN (Hereafter referred as VWN), LGBT Asylum Support, the municipality of Amsterdam were conducted. In addition, fieldwork was done at TransAmsterdam and the ASCs of Ter Apel and Wageningen.