The vulnerability of TGNCI youth is well-documented. In a 2018 survey
of 5,600 transgender and gender nonconforming youth, 84% of youth
experienced verbal threats, 53% experienced bullying at school, 57% had
been mocked or taunted by their families, and 16% had been sexually
attacked or raped – all based on their actual or perceived gender
identity. Because of pervasive stigma and discrimination, TGNC youth
are more likely to experience be psychological distress, homelessness, and bullying. TGNC youth of color,
who experience discrimination at the intersections of race and gender,
are vulnerable to extraordinarily high rates of violence and
mistreatment.
Researchers estimate that up to 1.7% of people are born with intersex traits.
Although transgender and intersex identities are distinct, both groups
encounter discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression
and both groups lack access to competent medical care. Some intersex
children undergo unnecessary, irreversible, and involuntary surgeries, and transgender youth are often denied medically necessary, gender affirming treatment.
Pervasive
rejection and discrimination in their homes, schools, and communities
contribute to the overrepresentation of TGNCI youth in youth confinement
facilities. According to recent national data
12% of youth in juvenile facilities identify as transgender or gender
nonconforming, and 85% of those are of color. “TGNCI youth are
extremely vulnerable in confinement settings. They experience higher
levels of sexual abuse, harassment, and mistreatment, particularly when
facilities lack clear, enforceable guidance on how to protect their
safety and promote their well-being. They deserve affirming care and
support, and this model policy will be the blueprint.” said Shannan
Wilber, youth policy director at NCLR and one of publication’s authors.
The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) standards require
confinement facilities to adopt policies and procedures to protect TGNCI
youth from sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Many confinement
facilities need assistance developing policies that appropriately
implement these protections and the National PREA Resource Center
supported NCLR in development of this policy.
The model policy addresses a range of practices that create a safe and healthy environment for TGNCI youth:
- How can facility staff safely and respectfully identify TGNCI residents?
- What concrete steps can facilities take to affirm the gender identity of youth?
- How can facilities assess and remedy the risks associated with TGNCI status?
- Where should TGNCI youth be housed in sex-segregated facilities?
- How can facilities protect the privacy of TGNCI residents?
- What specific considerations govern searches of TGNCI youth?
- How can facilities provide gender affirming medical and behavioral health care?
- What systems can facilities create to permit youth to confidentially report abuse and protect them from retaliation?
- How can facilities prepare TGNCI youth to successfully return to their communities?
- What can facilities do to prepare custodial staff to support and affirm TGNCI residents?
Jason
Szanyi, deputy director at the Center for Children’s Law and Policy
(CCLP) and one of the publication’s authors says, “We are seeing a huge
demand among youth justice professionals for training and guidance on
the unique needs of TGNCI youth, particularly in secure settings. This
publication provides the foundation for an agency or facility policy on
TGNCI youth. Adopting a policy based on these model provisions will
significantly decrease the harms experienced in custody by this
vulnerable population and create a safer environment for all youth.