Victim Blaming in Crimes Against Transgender People: Turkish Sample

OpenAlex İngilizce

This study examined victim-blaming attitudes toward transgender individuals in Turkey by comparing perceptions of physical and sexual assault scenarios involving female, male, and transgender victims. Ninety-five participants (M = 27.81, SD = 12.45) evaluated six vignettes which depict either a physical or sexual assault with victim gender manipulated across conditions are used. Each scenario was followed by Likert-type items assessing perceived seriousness, traumatization, offender and victim responsibility, provocation, and preventability. Non-parametric analyses (Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests) revealed significant gender-based differences in perceived traumatization (χ²(2, N = 95) = 51.71, p < .001), victim responsibility (χ²(2) = 8.75, p < .05), and preventability (χ²(2) = 39.74, p < .001). Transgender victims were perceived more similarly to female victims, with lower perceived ability to prevent physical assault (Md = 2.00) compared to male victims (Md = 3.00). Male participants attributed greater responsibility and provocation to transgender victims (U = 762.00, z = –2.77, p < .05). Although offenders were largely held responsible, findings indicate subtle transphobic and gendered biases shaping victim-blaming judgments. Results underscore the need for awareness efforts to reduce prejudice and support equitable treatment of transgender individuals in the justice system.