Kayla, whose name has been changed, is one of four transgender women transferred interstate into a New South Wales immigration detention facility this year.
A transgender woman inside Villawood Immigration Detention Centre says she feels under "constant threat" inside the facility.
"It feels like we're being punished for crimes we've not committed. It also feels like we're being punished for trans stereotypes that aren't true."Placements are made by Australian Border Force on a case-by-case basis, with LGBTQIA+ status as well as a safety and security risk assessment considered in each decision.
Officers of the same biological gender are required by contractor Serco to conduct pat searches on detainees being escorted to other facilities. Kayla recalled one incident with another trans woman who pushed back after being "intimidated" by an officer. "The ABF is committed to providing a safe, open and accepting environment in the IDN that supports people of all sexualities and gender identities.Kayla has lived and worked in Australia for 10 years and sees herself as a "valued member of society".
"We've been told that this is because there is a child here, but we are also being followed very closely by officers 24/7."
Villawood Sydney Western Sydney Immigration Detention Centre Transgender Trans Lgbt Detainee Women Facility Commonwealth Government Serco Officer Contract Discrimination Mobile Phones
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