Violence against trans women in public spaces: Between sexual harassment and transphobia

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyze, by studying the testimonies of trans women, the manifestations of sexual harassment that they face in public spaces and that violate their rights.  It was carried out from a qualitative research paradigm with some elements of participatory action research, with a critical focus on human rights.  Eight trans women subjects were investigated, who provided their testimonies through semi-structured in-depth interviews, which were triangulated or compared with newspaper reports, secondary sources, and systematized.  The study was complemented with a field investigation whereby contact was had with the context and the people under study.  Among the main findings: Public spaces dominated by heteropatriarchy are, socially, destined for the exercise of power by men against cisgender and trans women.  The violence faced by the trans population leads to irreparable damage to their lives, compromises their physical and emotional integrity, and limits their access to human rights.  The sexual harassment experienced by trans women is transphobic sexual harassment, because sexual harassment is mixed with transphobia.  This makes it necessary to carry out studies from various disciplines that contribute to the historical, social and political visibility of these populations, in addition to contributing from academia to the construction of a documentary collection that dates the actions, achievements, experiences and the history of trans populations.  It is important to carry out research from qualitative approaches that consolidate and sensitize those who investigate with the social, cultural and personal realities of trans women.