This report on a Research-to-Practice Fellowship project examined how experiences with trauma and transgender identity impact resilience, socialization, and life patterns.
The project intended to depart from the methodology of previous sexual violence research studies by using a strength-based approach. The research used a participatory, generative process of survey development that is ideal for researcher-practitioner partnerships and areas of research that are under-developed in the literature. The first step was the creation of ground rules for the researcher-practitioner partnership, solidification of the focus of the survey instrument, and clarification of who is to benefit from the survey tool. Using a consensus-building process, the survey items were developed. Cognitive interviews were conducted with six transgender or non-binary individuals to finalize the survey items. The main project deliverable was a survey to assess how experiences with trauma and (trans) identity impact resilience, socialization, and life patterns. Data included feedback from six transgender and non-binary individuals about the survey items, which influenced the final version submitted to the Center for Victim Research. Because the largest prior source of information on the transgender and non-binary community is just over 15 years old (FORGE, 2004), data obtained from the survey developed by the current research-to-practice fellowship team will provide a rich source of updated information to guide organizations’ efforts to support and promote resilience among transgender and non-binary survivors of sexual violence. Suggestions are offered for sustaining the researcher-practitioner team.