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FORGE is hosting 24+ listening sessions with community members and service providers to inform a Toolkit on serving trans and nonbinary survivors of crime. But what actually happens at a listening session?
Q: What is a listening session?
Listening sessions are small group discussions, held over Zoom, where community members are invited to share about their experiences with crime/violence, what was helpful after their experience and what wasn’t helpful, and how services can be improved for trans survivors of crime.
Q: What are they for?
Listening sessions will help to inform a Toolkit for service providers on serving trans/nonbinary survivors of crime.
Direct input from community members is essential to ensuring a relevant, culturally-informed Toolkit. We are looking for community members with a diverse range of experiences and identities to participate.
Q: Who should participate?
We are looking for trans/nonbinary community members and loved ones who have experiences with crime/violence.
Consider participating if you:
- Are willing to talk about what was and was not helpful after your experience(s)
- Are comfortable participating in a small group discussion (8-10 people)
Q: When are the listening sessions?
Here is the list of listening sessions for trans/nonbinary community members.
- Trans Women and Girls of Color – November 6, 2023 at 3pm EST
- Survivors of Hate Violence/Murder – November 8, 2023 at 5pm EST
- Immigrants and/or Undocumented – November 13, 2023 at 11am EST
- Parents/Families of Bullied Youth – November 13, 2023 at 6pm EST
Past listening sessions:
- Nonbinary – August 3, 2023
- Trans Men – September 7, 2023
- Sex Workers – September 11, 2023
- Survivors who were Formerly Incarcerated – September 13, 2023
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing – October 3, 2023
- Neurodivergent and/or Disabled – October 6, 2023
- Trans Women – October 10, 2023
- Black Trans Men – October 12, 2023
- General Community (open to all) – Oct 16, 2023
- Elders – October 26, 2023
- Black Trans Women and Girls – Oct 27, 2023
- Spanish-language session – Oct 30, 2023
- Indigenous and Native – Oct 31, 2023
Q: Which session should I sign up for?
Community listening sessions are set up by identity and/or experience. For example, some sessions include: Black Trans Men, Sex Workers, Neurodivergent/Disabled, and Survivors of Hate Violence. Find a complete list of listening sessions and sign up here.
Participants are encouraged to attend a session that aligns with their identities or experiences. Since there are many options, you might also choose the session that fits best with your schedule.
Q: What topics will be covered?
Each listening session will be shaped by the participants. Discussion topics might include:
- What matters to you related to getting support after crime or violence
- Experiences with navigating victim services, legal systems, healthcare, etc.
- What service providers/others have done that’s been helpful or not helpful
- What you would like to see change in services for trans survivors
Q: What if I don't feel comfortable talking about...?
You do not have to share any specifics about your experience(s) to participate. You will not be expected to “prove” that you belong to a certain group or have certain experiences.
Participation is completely voluntary, and you can choose which questions you’d like to respond to.
Q: What happens after the listening session?
Listening sessions will be transcribed, and insights shared will be used to inform the Toolkit for service providers on serving trans/nonbinary survivors of crime.
No identifying information will be included in the Toolkit, and the listening session recording will not be shared publicly. You can choose to share as much or as little as you want about your identity/experience. You are welcome to keep your camera on/off.