Those evil, evil transes!
How anti-trans campaigners are molesting official statistics to demonise trans folks
The last few months have seen a concerted attack on the way government records data on crime. Ostensibly about “accuracy” in reporting, the clear intent is to carve out exceptions in the Gender Recognition Act, with a view to drawing a line between “real” men and women and — we guess! — fake ones.
Along the way a very nasty slur seeking to paint trans women as egregious rapists and sex offenders is now emerging from that discourse. It is based on a selective and misleading interpretation of official statistics. Some have speculated that this is intentional. I could not possibly say.
And, of course, the Times has leapt in to further misinterpret the misinterpretation.
Now read on.
(TW: this piece contains extensive discussion of rape and sexual violence)
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If you’re expecting my usual lightness of prose, apologies. This is serious subject, with some serious consequences if politicians get it wrong. It is also an area where a good head for statistics, for data, is essential. So expect a certain dryness where the going gets technical.
