A new study published by the Trans Justice Project and Victoria Pride Lobby has shown that nearly half of all transgender individuals in Australia have been subject to hate crimes, either online or in person, over the past year.
The Fuelling Hate Report, which was conducted from April 17 to 25, included responses from over 3,099 participants, 1,309 of whom were from the transgender community, and showed that 49% of transgender participants had been victims of online anti-trans hate, while 48% had encountered in-person harassment or abuse.
Disturbingly, 24% reported an uptick in hate experienced in the past two months, and one in six had suffered physical violence over the past year. Furthermore, even if they had not been personally targeted, a staggering 94% had witnessed some form of online anti-trans hate during the past year.
The study, which is the most extensive of its kind in Australia, also identified a link between anti-trans rhetoric and the surge in anti-trans hate and pointed specifically to the rally organised by British anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen (Posie Parker) in Melbourne in March.
Jackie Turner, Director of the Trans Justice Project, stated, “Trans people deserve to thrive, to feel safe in our communities and have the freedom to be ourselves. But right now, our lives are under attack. We are urging federal and state governments across the country to take decisive action to curb extremism and protect our communities from hate.”
Austin Fabrey-Jenkins of the Victorian Pride Lobby called for the expedited implementation of planned anti-vilification laws in Victoria, highlighting the urgent need for greater support for the trans community.
