A marcher holds a placard at a trans rights rally in London this summer. Photo: Belinda Jlao/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
A transgender woman was stabbed on her doorstep in a “truly horrifying” transphobic attack, police have said. The 33-year-old, originally from Poland, was stabbed in the leg and stomach last year in Birmingham after opening the door to a man she had met online. Nazir Mohammed, 22, made contact with the woman, who has not been named, last November.After opening the door, Mohammed stabbed the woman twice without saying a word. He later disposed of the knife down a drain according to CCTV footage. An hour later, he contacted police to admit he had stabbed the woman, who was taken to hospital and has now recovered from her injuries.
Mohammed, who has been in a secure mental health unit since his arrest, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and was given an indefinite hospital order.
DC Paul Brogan of West Midlands Police said: "This was a targeted hate crime against a member of the LGBT+ community and against someone who had in fact to come to the UK to escape intolerance.”"It must have been truly horrifying for her to open the door to someone and then, without a word, be stabbed,” he said. "But she has had the strength and bravery to tell us exactly what happened, and helped us bring Mohammed before the courts resulting in him now receiving the help he needs.”According to a 2020 report by UK LGBTQ anti-abuse charity GALOP, transphobic hate crime has doubled in the last three years, while only 1 in 7 trans people are reporting their experience.Sasha Misra, associate director of communications and campaigns at LGBTQ charity Stonewall, said: “It is horrifying that a trans woman was attacked on her own doorstep in a targeted hate crime. As we reflect on the violence and threats that women face merely for existing, we all need to do more to ensure that women, including trans women, are safe and can live free from fear.”“Reports of transphobic attacks in the UK are on the rise; BBC research from last year found that they had quadrupled over the last five years,” she said. “This coincides with an uptick in anti-trans sentiment online and in the media. Journalists, commentators and outlets all have a part to play in creating an environment where trans people are treated with respect and making the UK a safe place for trans people to live their lives.”
Mohammed, who has been in a secure mental health unit since his arrest, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and was given an indefinite hospital order.
DC Paul Brogan of West Midlands Police said: "This was a targeted hate crime against a member of the LGBT+ community and against someone who had in fact to come to the UK to escape intolerance.”"It must have been truly horrifying for her to open the door to someone and then, without a word, be stabbed,” he said. "But she has had the strength and bravery to tell us exactly what happened, and helped us bring Mohammed before the courts resulting in him now receiving the help he needs.”According to a 2020 report by UK LGBTQ anti-abuse charity GALOP, transphobic hate crime has doubled in the last three years, while only 1 in 7 trans people are reporting their experience.Sasha Misra, associate director of communications and campaigns at LGBTQ charity Stonewall, said: “It is horrifying that a trans woman was attacked on her own doorstep in a targeted hate crime. As we reflect on the violence and threats that women face merely for existing, we all need to do more to ensure that women, including trans women, are safe and can live free from fear.”“Reports of transphobic attacks in the UK are on the rise; BBC research from last year found that they had quadrupled over the last five years,” she said. “This coincides with an uptick in anti-trans sentiment online and in the media. Journalists, commentators and outlets all have a part to play in creating an environment where trans people are treated with respect and making the UK a safe place for trans people to live their lives.”