Policing transgender people and intimate partner violence (IPV)

Knowledge regarding policing of transgender people in situations of intimate partner violence (IPV) is scarce within policing literature. While this may be because transgender victim-survivors of IPV are one of the most hidden groups of IPV survivors, transgender people face specific and unique forms of IPV related to their identity. Police officers, therefore, need to be aware of the specific forms of IPV transgender victim-survivors experience and must be cognizant of the specific circumstances involved when responding to incidents of transgender IPV. Police recognition of transgender IPV will increase the reporting of transgender IPV; effect responses to transgender IPV; increase outcomes of justice for victims and; push recommendations concerning changing current police responses and operational practices regarding IPV. Yet, bias towards individuals who identify as transgender has been found in the literature regarding police practices and perceptions of LGBTIQ+ people. Research suggests transgender people are generally uncomfortable seeking help from the police. Therefore, policing transgender victim-survivors of IPV poses an ongoing problem since notions of exclusion and the sense of ‘difference’ transgender people have in terms of their perceived or outward identity form barriers between police and members of the transgender community during times of victimization.