We cannot fix what we refuse to face. And when it comes to the safety of women and girls, sidestepping truth in favor of comfort serves no one. There
We cannot fix what we refuse to face. And when it comes to the safety of women and girls, sidestepping truth in favor of comfort serves no one. There is a persistent and dangerous myth circulating: the idea that identifying as transgender somehow alters the patterns of male violence against women. This is simply not true, and the facts bear this out.
The Facts We Cannot Ignore
Decades of crime data and research have shown that patterns of male violence remain consistent, regardless of gender identity. Whether a male identifies as a man or as a woman, the rates of violent and sexual offenses do not align with female crime patterns—they align with male crime patterns.
- UK Ministry of Justice (2021): Data showed that male-born individuals who identify as transgender are incarcerated for sexual offenses at rates similar to other males, not females.
- Sweden Study (2018): A long-term study found that trans-identified males had crime rates, including violent and sexual offenses, that matched those of other males and did not decrease after transitioning.
- US Federal Prison Data (2020): Reports found that trans-identified males housed in women’s prisons were responsible for a disproportionate number of sexual assaults.
- Scottish Prison Service (2022): Data revealed that trans-identified males in female prisons were significantly more likely to have convictions for sexual offenses than the general female prison population.
Prison data is particularly revealing. Where trans-identified males have been housed in women’s prisons, there have been documented cases of sexual violence and assaults against female inmates. These are not anomalies. They are reflections of the same patterns we see outside of prison walls, where male violence against women is a persistent crisis. Identity does not change these patterns.
Male Self-Expression Has Never Meant Women’s Safety
The idea that men expressing themselves uniquely makes them safer for women is not supported by history. Throughout time, men have worn elaborate clothing, makeup, wigs, and nontraditional attire, yet the fundamental patterns of male violence have remained unchanged.
- History of Male Self-Expression: From the powdered wigs and high heels of 18th-century European aristocracy to gender-nonconforming figures throughout various cultures, men have experimented with self-presentation. But this has never translated into a decrease in male violence against women.
- Data on Crime Rates: Despite the growing acceptance of gender identity movements, crime statistics show no decrease in male violence patterns among trans-identified males.
- Modern Trends: Even in societies with progressive gender policies, there is no data showing that identifying as a woman leads to a reduction in violent crime among biological males.
Compassion Demands Truth
Acknowledging these realities is not an act of hatred or cruelty; it is an act of responsibility. Women—particularly women who are already vulnerable, such as those in shelters, prisons, and domestic violence refuges—deserve safety. That safety depends on our ability to set clear boundaries based on material reality, not ideology.
We have spent generations fighting for women’s rights, for safe spaces, and for acknowledgment that male violence is a systemic issue that must be addressed. If we now allow myths to override hard-earned wisdom, we will undo decades of work. Women do not need to prove they are worthy of safety. It is a right.
We Must Be Miles Ahead
As a Survivor, an advocate, and a womanist, I know what it means to fight for truth in a world that prefers illusions. I also know that myths never serve those who are most vulnerable. When we ignore the realities of male violence, we do not protect anyone—we only make it easier for predators to exploit gaps in our vigilance. Groomers and abusers rely on confusion, on silence, and on the refusal of good people to name what they see.
We do not have the luxury of silence. We must remain miles ahead of those who seek to harm women and children. And that means rejecting the falsehood that identity alone changes the deeply ingrained patterns of male violence.
Moving Forward with Clarity
There is space for compassion in all discussions about human dignity. But compassion does not require us to abandon truth. If we want to build a world that is truly safe for women and girls, we must be clear-eyed, courageous, and unwavering in our commitment to reality.
Women and girls deserve safety. Survivors deserve to have their voices heard without fear of punishment for speaking the truth. We will not build a better world on myths. We will build it on truth, strategy, and an unshakable commitment to protecting women and children from harm.
And we will not back down.
