Violent Victimisation Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents – Evolving Patterns

• In Event: Victimization of Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents experience higher rates of violence compared to cisgender peers. TGD refers to those whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth, while cisgender refers to those whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth. In recent years, attitudes towards TGD individuals have generally become more accepting in many countries, with increased visibility in media and public discourse. Conversely, this increased visibility has also prompted counter movements against these accepting attitudes, culminating in physical violence towards TGD individuals. However, an increase in hate-motivated violence does not necessarily mean that overall violence towards TGD individuals is rising. While hate-motivated violence is a serious threat to TGD individuals globally, it does not solely explain the accumulation of violent experiences.

Despite recognition of this phenomenon, there is limited research on how violence against TGD adolescents has evolved recently. This study addresses this gap and examines variables related to the help-seeking experiences of TGD adolescents with experiences of violent victimisation. Utilizing self-reported survey data, this study analyses nationally representative samples of Finnish adolescents from 2017 (N=117,016), 2019 (N=137,895), 2021 (N=143,571), and 2023 (N=135,740).

The results support previous findings that TGD adolescents, particularly transgender girls and non-binary youths, are at a higher risk of violent victimisation than their cisgender peers. However, the gap between TGD and cisgender youths may be narrowing due to a slight decrease in victimisation of TGD adolescents and an overall increase in violent victimisation of adolescents. Additionally, TGD individuals needed help more often after experiencing violence; As cisgender adolescents stated more often that they did not need help, TGD adolescents both received help and were left without more often than their cisgender peers.

Authors

• Venla Iina Josefiina Hakala, Tampere University

• Taina Laajasalo, Finnish Institute for Health and Wellfare