Uncovering the Hidden: Investigating Influences on Sexual Victimization Among 439 Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals Behind Bars

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite repeated reports of sexual victimization by transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people who are incarcerated, there remains little literature on the source of this sexual assault and the factors that heightened likelihood of experiencing assault while incarcerated. The current research (n = 439) is the first known study aimed at understanding whether individual and state-level factors influence sexual assault while incarcerated. Utilizing data from the 2015 United States Transgender Survey and Malkin and DeJong’s (2018) PREA compliance study, analyses were conducted to understand whether individual differences and the number of transgender-specific PREA policies were associated with the likelihood of experiencing sexual assault while incarcerated. Whether perpetrated by facility staff or another inmate, People of Color were significantly more likely to experience sexual assault compared to their White counterparts. A preliminary chi-square analysis also found significant differences in the prevalence of sexual assault based on how many transgender-specific PREA policies a state had implemented with states with more policies reporting a less sexual assault. Findings support the need to further understand the experiences and vulnerability of TGD people who are incarcerated in the United States, and potential policies and legislation that can combat sexual violence.