Survey reveals 84% of trans people feel unsafe in Britain

A new survey has laid bare the extent of fear and insecurity felt by trans people across the UK, with a staggering 84% saying Britain is “fairly unsafe” or “very unsafe” for them.

The poll, conducted by YouGov and commissioned by the Good Law Project, paints a bleak picture of life for trans individuals in public spaces. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents reported experiencing verbal abuse, while almost one in four (24%) said they had been subjected to physical violence.

Toilet access - a flashpoint in the ongoing culture wars - was also highlighted, with 49% of trans people saying they struggle to find appropriate facilities when out in public.

The survey follows a controversial Supreme Court ruling in April regarding the definition of sex under the Equality Act. In response, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued interim guidance that encouraged organisations to exclude trans people from gendered spaces. Although the EHRC withdrew the guidance last week following legal pressure from the Good Law Project, many institutions had already implemented exclusionary policies.

In recent months, many trans people have been living in abject terror

This week, nearly 50 Labour backbenchers raised concerns in a letter to ministers, warning of the “moral, legal, and practical quagmire” created by the guidance and the potential safety risks for staff and customers alike.

Jess O’Thomson, trans lead at the Good Law Project, said the findings reflect a humanitarian crisis. “In recent months, many trans people have been living in abject terror,” O’Thomson said. “They are afraid of being harassed, outed, and discriminated against. It is appalling that nearly half of trans people report they are now finding basic toilet access difficult, despite the EHRC’s claims that they are protecting people.”

The survey, which included 457 trans, non-binary and intersex adults, also revealed a collapse in trust in UK institutions. Only 25% of respondents said they trust the police, and just 31% expressed confidence in the judiciary. Meanwhile, 91% said they do not trust the Labour Party to protect trans rights.

International bodies have taken notice. Earlier this month, Europe’s human rights chief, Michael O’Flaherty, cautioned the UK against policies that exclude trans people. The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention has issued a red flag alert on trans and intersex rights in the UK, and the country has dropped to 22nd place in ILGA-Europe’s LGBTQ+ rights rankings - down from first place a decade ago.

With trans people making up less than 1% of the UK population, advocates say the findings should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers and the public alike.