Arevik (name changed), a trans* woman from Armenia, faced aggression and violence while in a public place in N city. While on the street at night, she was targeted by a group of young men who started threatening her using harsh words, insults, and threats. One of them stated that “this is their territory” and they would not tolerate the presence of “such a perverted spoiled animal”.
The group of guys did not stop at words: they started dragging Arevik by her arms, pushing her, thus creating a real threat to her safety. At this point, Arevik decided to call REActor, and together they called the police.
After the intervention of the law enforcement agencies, the patrolmen detained the aggressors and they were given an educational talk. The offenders were released after writing an explanatory statement.
As much as it may seem like a step towards justice, this case highlights the serious problem of discrimination and violence against trans* people in Armenia. Although the police intervened, the outcome leaves many questions, especially in the context of how seriously the country takes the protection of community rights. It also raises the issue of the lack of training of law enforcement agencies in dealing with LGBTIQ+ people and the importance of creating more inclusive and protective mechanisms.
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Bias and intimidation: cases of police pressure in Kazakhstan
On the brink of despair: a woman’s struggle against violence and state bureaucracy in Azerbaijan