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Testa A, Jackson DB, Del Toro J, Karbeah J, Nagata JM, Ganson KT. Sexual orientation and experiences with police contact in Canada. Ann Epidemiol 2024; 91:85-90. [PMID: 38070693 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between sexual orientation and police contact-including police contact with intrusion (i.e., use of intrusive verbal or physical force) and police contact with harassment (i.e., actions making one feel inferior based on appearance, identity, or demographic background)-among a national sample in Canada. METHODS Logistic and multinomial logistic regression were used to assess the association between sexual orientation and experiences with police contact among a sample of 940 persons ages 16-30 across Canada. RESULTS Compared to heterosexual participants, persons identifying as bisexual were significantly more likely to report having any police contact in the past 12 months (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.70). Bisexual (RRR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1. 83, 6.50) and queer, questioning, and other (RRR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.15, 4.73) identifying participants were more likely to report having experienced police contact with harassment relative to no police contact, compared to heterosexual individuals. CONCLUSIONS The current study provides the first analysis of the relationship between sexual minority identity and experiences with adverse police contact in Canada, revealing higher levels of police contact and police contact with harassment, especially among bisexual and queer, questioning, other individuals. Findings suggest that sexual minority persons in Canada experience potentially harmful police contact at elevated rates, which may have significant ramifications for health and traumatic stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Testa
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Dylan B Jackson
- Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juan Del Toro
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J'Mag Karbeah
- Division of Health Policy Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jason M Nagata
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kyle T Ganson
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Dalzell LG, Pang SC, Brömdal A. Gender affirmation and mental health in prison: A critical review of current corrections policy for trans people in Australia and New Zealand. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2024; 58:21-36. [PMID: 37638610 PMCID: PMC10756016 DOI: 10.1177/00048674231195285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trans people in prison experience disproportionate rates of harm, including negative mental health outcomes, and thus require special protections. Instead, corrections policies have historically further marginalised them. This critical policy review aimed to compare corrections policies for trans people in Australia and New Zealand with human rights standards and consider their mental health impact. METHODS Online searches were conducted on corrections websites for each state/territory in Australia and New Zealand. Drawing on the Nelson Mandela Rules and Yogyakarta Principles, 19 corrections policies relevant to placement, naming, appearance and gender-affirming healthcare for trans people were reviewed. The potential mental health impact of these policies on incarcerated trans people was discussed using the Gender Minority Stress and Resilience framework. RESULTS Australian and New Zealand corrections policies have become more concordant with human rights standards in the past 5 years. However, gender-related discrimination and human rights violations were present in corrections policies of all jurisdictions. New South Wales and Victorian policies had the highest concordance with human rights standards, while Queensland and South Australian policies had the lowest. CONCLUSION Policies that contribute to discrimination and minority stress may increase risk of mental health problems and suicide for incarcerated trans people. Mental health professionals working in prisons need to be aware of these risks to provide safe and accessible mental healthcare for trans people. Collaborative policy development with trans people is essential to protect the safety and rights of incarcerated trans people and consider models beyond the gender binary on which correctional systems have been founded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura G Dalzell
- Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare), Clifton Hill, VIC, Australia
| | - Sam C Pang
- Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare), Clifton Hill, VIC, Australia
| | - Annette Brömdal
- School of Education, Faculty of Business, Education and Law and Centre for Health Research, Institute of Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
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Brömdal A, Sanders T, Stanners M, du Plessis C, Gildersleeve J, Mullens AB, Phillips TM, Debattista J, Daken K, Clark KA, Hughto JMW. Where do incarcerated trans women prefer to be housed and why? Adding nuanced understandings to a complex debate through the voices of formerly incarcerated trans women in Australia and the United States. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRANSGENDER HEALTH 2023; 25:167-186. [PMID: 38681496 PMCID: PMC11044725 DOI: 10.1080/26895269.2023.2280167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Background Incarcerated trans women experience significant victimization, mistreatment, barriers to gender-affirming care, and human rights violations, conferring high risk for trauma, psychological distress, self-harm, and suicide. Across the globe, most carceral settings are segregated by sex assigned at birth and governed by housing policies that restrict gender expression-elevating 'safety and security' above the housing preferences of incarcerated people. Aim/methods Drawing upon the lived experiences of 24 formerly incarcerated trans women in Australia and the United States and employing Elizabeth Freeman's notion of chrononormativity, Rae Rosenberg's concept of heteronormative time, and Kadji Amin's use of queer temporality, this paper explores trans women's carceral housing preferences and contextual experiences, including how housing preferences challenge governing chrononormative and reformist carceral housing systems. Findings Participants freely discussed their perspectives regarding housing options which through thematic analysis generated four options for housing: 1) men's carceral settings; 2) women's carceral settings; 3) trans- and gay-specific housing blocks; and 4) being housed in protective custody or other settings. There appeared to be a relationship between the number of times the person had been incarcerated, the duration of their incarceration, and where they preferred to be housed. Conclusions This analysis contributes to richer understandings regarding trans women's experiences while incarcerated. This paper also informs the complexities and nuances surrounding housing preferences from the perspectives of trans women themselves and considers possible opportunities to enhance human rights, health and wellbeing when engaging in transformative approaches to incarceration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Brömdal
- School of Education, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tait Sanders
- School of Psychology and Wellbeing, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
| | - Melinda Stanners
- School of Education, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carol du Plessis
- School of Psychology and Wellbeing, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jessica Gildersleeve
- School of Humanities and Communication, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amy B. Mullens
- School of Psychology and Wellbeing, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tania M. Phillips
- School of Psychology and Wellbeing, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
| | - Joseph Debattista
- Metro North Public Health Unit, Metro North Hospital & Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kirstie Daken
- School of Psychology and Wellbeing, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kirsty A. Clark
- Department of Medicine, Health & Society, Institute for Public Policy Studies, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jaclyn M. W. Hughto
- Departments of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Epidemiology, Brown School of Public Health, Centre for Health Equity Research, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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