11. Beyond the Gender Binary: Trans/forming IPV Prevention Using a Public Health Framework

Abstract

Transgender individuals experience alarming rates of discrimination, harassment, and violence across the lifespan. Research has shown that this population is at the highest risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) compared to cisgender women or men. Prevention programs often focus on violence between cisgender, heterosexual individuals where the assumed perpetrator is a cisgender man and the assumed survivor is a cisgender woman. This approach neglects an entire population of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) survivors and abusers, including cisgender men in relationships with cisgender men, cisgender women in relationships with cisgender women, and relationships involving at least one partner who is a transgender woman, transgender man, or nonbinary individual. Moreover, the lack of resources afforded to transgender individuals puts them at greater risk for IPV and SV. This chapter presents a public health framework to outline the importance of addressing many societal factors that lead to perpetration of violence committed against transgender people. A public health approach demonstrates the steps that can be taken to minimize this risk and reduce violence in the communities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)