NEWS | OutBoise Magazine | 13
March 2015 | Issue 5.2 | OutBoise.com
The studies indicate three of
every four male to female transgender people experience non
consensual sexual violence during
the transition period. Two of every
four female to male transgender
people experience non consensual sexual violence. Three of every four transgender people are
the victim of non-sexual violence
as well. Assault on the street is
not uncommon. The last and in a
way worst form of violence that
affects transgender people is
domestic assault.
gender or relationship status is
no longer a major factor in many
places. A woman is just as likely
to be charged as a man in most
places now. The same goes in
male on male domestic violence,
Female on female domestic violence.
clear. The biggest barrier to care
is fear. Fear of rejection, fear of
humiliation and discrimination at
the hands of medical professionals. One very clear thing is that
the medical community, insurance companies and mental
health professionals need to become educated on the medical
HIV/AIDS related illness; It is esti- needs of the transgender populamated that transgender people tion. Only then will our transgenare 27 percent more likely to
der brothers and sisters get the
seroconvert to HIV positive than
care and access they need.
the general population. According to the CDC there are many
The second need is access.
reasons for this. A huge factor is
It is estimated that only 30 to
Transgender people have a 40 the sharing of needles for hor40 percent of the transgender
percent higher risk of domestic
mone therapy and in the use of
population is insured medically.
assault by spouses, parents and
illicit drugs. Also factors related to Even when they are insured, the
siblings. Transgender people have sexual conduct, prostitution, and hormone therapy and surgery is
a 10 percent higher risk of death black market surgical procedures. rarely covered. It is hoped that
from these assaults than the
Education and access to insurthe Affordable Care Act (ACA)
general population. In the past
ance and non judgmental medi- will change these numbers but it
having the police involved in no cal care is the number one tool in will be a slow change.
way benefited the victim. Often
fighting this matter.
the responding officers ridiculed
The bravery needed to transiand sometimes even assaulted
Substance abuse; The LGBT
tion and withstand the firestorm of
the victim of violence.
populations in general have
scrutiny and resistance is formidaa 20-30 percent higher risk of
ble. Winning the battle for equalI know of at least one case in
substance abuse. The factors
ity in healthcare is achieved by
Ohio, where the offender in the
governing this higher risk relate
being visible. Support of your trans
sexual assault of a young transto isolation, rejection, fear and
friends is essential to helping them
woman was a responding police depression. Many physicians and access the care needed. Stand
officer. Police forces across the
experts believe that a lack of ac- up and be counted. I for one do
nation are slowly becoming more cess to social institutions, like mar- not ever want again to hear that
aware of the problem of violence riage and parenting have conmy friend has died from suicide,
against trans people and are be- tributed to this long term problem. indifferent care, or violence.
coming more trans sensitive, and Once again lack of education,
are taking violence against trans access to mental health care,
Do you have health questions?
people seriously. This is a huge
and physicians care are huge
Feel free to contact OutBoise. All
step in the right direction. The
contributing factors.
questions are welcome and will
judicial system has changed also.
The causation of many of the
be answered in an upcoming
Domestic assault is treated more health risks are clear. How to fix
issue!
and more on an equal basis. The the problems is not always so