Crossing the line: Lived experience of sexual violence among trans women of colour from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Australia Key findings and future directions

J.M. Ussher, A. Hawkey, J. Perz, P. Liamputtong, B. Marjadi, V. Schmied

International research indicates trans women are at higher risk of sexual violence than cisgender women. In Australia, a recent survey of trans and gender diverse people that asked participants "Have you ever been forced or frightened into doing something sexually that you did not want to do?" reported that 53.2 percent had experienced sexual violence compared to 13.3 percent of the broader Australian population. Trans women of colour face discrimination and violence on the basis of the intersection of their gender and racial identities and, for some, their sexual identities as queer women. However, there is an absence of Australian research investigating the experiences of sexual violence among trans women of colour. The experiences and needs of trans women in relation to sexual violence remain poorly understood by many healthcare providers, legislators, police and policymakers, with the experiences and needs of trans women of colour from CALD backgrounds being the least understood. The absence of culturally competent information and knowledge about transgender experience, accompanied by misinformation, can lead to stigma, prejudice and discrimination, resulting in unmet needs for trans women. This can have serious consequences for trans women?s physical and psychological wellbeing. Trans women of colour from a CALD background, as well as women who identify as lesbian, bisexual or queer, may experience additional prejudice and discrimination, due to the intersection of gender, sexuality, race and religion. The research uses women of colour to refer to the ethnic identities of the trans women interviewed as it was preferred by participants. The term CALD is used to describe culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to distinguish between white, Anglo-Australians and culturally and linguistically diverse Australians.