NSW: Transgender sex workers the least likely to report attacks

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2003
NSW: Transgender sex workers the least likely to report attacks

By Vera Devai

SYDNEY, Dec 1 AAP - Transgender sex workers were the most reluctant to report violent
crimes against them, a prostitute support group said today.

The threat of assault against those in the sex industry was highlighted by the stabbing
murder on the weekend of a man wearing women's clothing in an inner-Sydney street corner
frequented by prostitutes.

The man, who was stabbed 10 times in the neck and torso, is believed to be a sex worker.

Police are yet to identify the man, although preliminary post-mortem tests have confirmed
the cause of death was due to blood loss.

A motive for the attack is not yet known.

Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) director Maria McMahon said the social stigma attached
to the industry prevented workers from reporting attacks to police.

"That's given particularly where the sex worker is of transgender or transsexual because
they are further marginalised," Ms McMahon said.

A number of SWOP's outreach counsellors deal with workers in the area the man was attacked.

But Ms McMahon said given that the number of attacks reported to the group had remained
steady in the past few years, she questioned whether the attack was related to the sex
worker industry.

"I guess the fact that the person may have been a sex worker doesn't mean that the
crime occurred in relation to their sex work," she said.

"It could have been a domestic incident, it could have been a random violent act."

Meanwhile, police were continuing their investigations.

Kings Cross crime manager Detective Inspector Jenny Hayes said police were following
up some calls.

"We will be following up some inquiries regarding the deceased's possible previous
addresses, waiting for finger prints to come back and we will be doing some further canvassing,"

Det Insp said.

When asked if the man was a sex worker Det Insp Hayes said: "Well, we haven't ruled that out."

AAP ved/kbw/drp/bwl

KEYWORD: TRANSVESTITE

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