September 2014Vol. 15, No. 8Serving Transgender Victims of Sexual Assault
It is estimated that 5 to 10 percent of the children and youth in foster care identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ). Many children and youth who enter out-of-home care do so because of a traumatic experience, such as sexual abuse. A new guide for service providers—including those in health care, law enforcement, sexual assault advocacy, or child welfare—offers information and tips on providing sensitive care and assistance to transgender victims of sexual assault.
The guide offers a list of common transgender-related terms, covers the basics of what it means to be transgender, outlines the rates of sexual assault within the transgender community and its ramifications, and offers tips for service providers on how to serve transgender victims of sexual assault.
Responding to Transgender Victims of Sexual Assault is available on the website for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime: