Sexual Assault Prevention and the Reality of Transgender Violence

Honoring Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance

As we recognize Transgender Awareness Week (November 13–19) and Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20), it’s crucial to bring awareness to an often-overlooked aspect of sexual violence prevention — the disproportionate rates of violence faced by transgender and gender non-conforming people.

Sexual assault does not discriminate, but the risk and impact of sexual violence are not experienced equally. For transgender individuals, the threat of violence — including sexual assault — is a daily reality tied to systemic discrimination, social stigma, and lack of access to safe resources.

The Alarming Statistics

According to the U.S. Transgender Survey (National Center for Transgender Equality), nearly half (47%) of transgender people have been sexually assaulted at least once in their lifetime. For transgender people of color, those numbers are even higher. Transgender women — particularly Black and Latina trans women — face some of the highest rates of sexual violence and homicide in the country.

These numbers are not just statistics — they represent real people whose lives have been disrupted, silenced, or lost due to hate, discrimination, and a lack of societal protection.

Why Transgender Individuals Are at Greater Risk

Understanding why transgender people are more vulnerable to sexual violence is key to effective prevention. A few core factors include:

• Discrimination and Marginalization: Transgender individuals often experience rejection from families, employment discrimination, and barriers in housing, leaving them more vulnerable to predatory behavior or unsafe living situations.

• Systemic Barriers to Safety: Some crisis centers, shelters, and healthcare providers may lack proper training or inclusive policies, causing transgender survivors to fear mistreatment or denial of services.

• Fear of Reporting: Many transgender survivors choose not to report their assault due to concerns of being misgendered, ridiculed, or outright dismissed by law enforcement or medical personnel.

• Social Isolation: When people are ostracized or forced to hide their identity, they can become more susceptible to abusive relationships and environments.

All these factors intersect to create a heightened risk of sexual violence and a reduced likelihood of receiving justice or support.

The Intersection of Violence and Identity

Sexual violence against transgender people is rarely an isolated act — it is often tied to bias, hatred, and attempts to control or punish someone for living authentically. For many survivors, the assault is compounded by hate speech, public humiliation, or online harassment.

This intersection of identity-based violence and sexual assault highlights the urgent need for advocacy that centers transgender experiences. Prevention efforts must go beyond awareness; they must challenge transphobia, promote safety, and ensure access to trauma-informed, inclusive care.

Inclusive Sexual Assault Prevention: How We Move Forward

True sexual assault prevention cannot exist without inclusion. It requires that all people — regardless of gender identity — feel safe, respected, and protected. Some meaningful ways to advance inclusive prevention include:

1. Education and Awareness: Schools, workplaces, and community groups should provide education on consent, respect, and healthy relationships that includes all genders and sexual orientations.

2. Culturally Competent Training: Advocacy centers, law enforcement, and healthcare providers should receive training on how to respectfully and effectively support transgender survivors.

3. Policy and Practice Reform: Shelters, clinics, and public services must ensure that policies protect the rights of transgender clients — from using their chosen names and pronouns to providing gender-affirming spaces.

4. Community Empowerment: Encourage bystander intervention and allyship. When people speak out against transphobia and harassment, they actively contribute to prevention.

5. Visibility and Representation: Representation matters. When transgender survivors see themselves reflected in advocacy campaigns, they know they are not forgotten or alone.

Honoring Transgender Lives and Survivors

Each November, Transgender Awareness Week is an opportunity to honor the strength, resilience, and courage of transgender people — especially those who have experienced violence. It leads into the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on November 20th, a solemn day to honor the lives of transgender individuals lost to hate and violence.

Remembering these lives is not only about mourning their loss but also about reaffirming our commitment to prevention, education, and change.

Our Commitment to Every Survivor

At the Sexual Assault Victims Advocacy Center, we believe every survivor deserves compassion, respect, and access to healing — regardless of gender identity or expression. Our services are free, confidential, and inclusive, and our advocates are trained to provide support for all survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking.

We see you. We hear you. You matter.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, please reach out. You are not alone. Together, we can build a community where every person — including our transgender neighbors, friends, and family — can live free from fear and violence.

About the Sexual Assault Victims Advocacy Center

The Sexual Assault Victims Advocacy Center (SAVAC) is dedicated to providing compassionate, confidential, and comprehensive support to survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking. We work to prevent sexual violence through education, advocacy, and community partnerships while empowering survivors on their path to healing.

Our services are always free and confidential. Together, we can create a community where every voice is heard, every survivor is believed, and every person is valued.

📞 If you or someone you know needs support, please call our 24-hour confidential crisis line at (706) 419-8775.

You can also learn more about our services or ways to get involved at www.savacenterga.org.