July 31, 2025
“At Jane Doe Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, we are dedicated to advancing safety and healing for all survivors, their loved ones, and their communities. In the face of persistent, dangerous, and bigoted attacks at the Federal level that target transgender individuals and communities, we stand with all survivors, including those from historically marginalized communities such as LGBTQIA+ survivors, survivors of color, survivors from low-income backgrounds, and immigrant survivors, whose fundamental rights are under particular attack in this moment. Trans justice is survivor justice.
Trans people are disproportionately impacted by gender-based violence – more than half of trans people have experienced either domestic or sexual violence. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision allowing states to deny transgender young people access to essential, life-saving healthcare, it is particularly concerning that 1 in 10 trans survivors reports experiencing assault from a health care provider.
Attacks on the rights of trans people, rhetoric that fosters hatred and isolation, and policies that restrict the freedom of trans people to exist and express themselves compound the dangers already faced by trans and gender-nonconforming survivors. These attacks, ranging from dismantling LGBTQIA+ hotlines to attempts at abolishing gender-affirming care, increase the likelihood of more violence and greater harm against transgender individuals – who are already four times more likely than their cisgender counterparts to experience violent crime.
While the current Federal administration focuses on delivering devastating blows to trans rights and besieging survivor safety across the country, we know that there are real consequences for trans survivors, advocates, and community members, and a dangerous impact from lost resources, increased fear, and empowered abusers. As a Coalition working to end gender-based violence, we know that transgender survivors and the accessibility of the services and resources available to them must be centered in our work. Erasing trans individuals from this field – as the Federal administration is attempting to do – would be entirely antithetical to the values of our work.
In the face of these challenges, JDI Coalition members and our partners remain focused on the work of supporting trans survivors every day. It is critical that trans survivors know there are still resources available to support them and provide assistance navigating difficult, and often hostile, systems. Just as important, there are millions of people – service providers, advocates, and community members – committed to unwavering solidarity to fight for our collective safety, justice, and healing. Those in need of help can find more information on available resources here. At JDI, we will continue our work to support our member organizations, call out attacks that threaten survivors and advocates, and work alongside our members, partners, and elected leaders in Massachusetts to protect our communities.”