Many adolescents who are transgender or non-binary face significant peer victimization. Does restriction of locker rooms or restrooms to the sex assigned at birth contribute to the increasing risk of sexual assault victimization? Murchison et al. (10.1542/peds.2018-2902) share with us the results of their study of 3,673 anonymous transgender and non-binary adolescents from grades 7-12 who responded to a national survey and reported whether they were being restricted from the restroom or locker room preferred by their gender identity or not and whether they had been sexually assaulted in the past year. The results indicate that there was a significant increase in assaults if restrictions for locker rooms and restrooms were in place compared to transgender and non-binary students who did not have such restrictions. While one cannot prove from this study that assaults are actually occurring in these locations, the association is still concerning.
What can we do about this? We asked Dr. Diane Ehrensaft and Stephen Rosenthal (10.1542/peds.2019-0554) to weigh in with an accompanying commentary. They point out that California is the first state to pass a law allowing one’s affirmed gender identity to select the appropriate restroom or locker room and suggest we learn whether self-reports of assault are decreased in that state after this law was passed. They even point out the medical issues of not taking in enough fluids or retaining bowel and bladder contents due to fear of using a restroom that goes against one’s preferred gender identity. Thus it is our job to advocate for access to unrestricted restrooms and locker rooms for these youth whether or not sexual assaults occur in these locations or others as a result of their affirmed gender identity. Hopefully you will investigate what the rules are in your local school district after reading this important study and commentary.