Respectful Connections: Transgender women and cisgender men online
Respectful Connections, a partnership between La Trobe University and Zoe Belle Gender Collective, aims to establish world-first research on transgender women’s experiences of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and develop evidence-informed, community-led primary prevention resources.
2025-2027
Sophie Hindes, Starlady, Belinda O’Connor, Jessica Ison, Adam Bourne and Sean Mulcahy
This project examines how technology shapes relationships, dating, and sexual negotiations between cisgender men and transgender women. It documents transgender women’s experiences of tech-based abuse, explores cisgender men’s attitudes and perspectives about connecting with transgender women online, and identifies the resources needed to prevent abuse and support safe, respectful, and healthy interactions.
Partners and funding
Respectful Connections is a partnership between La Trobe University and Zoe Belle Gender Collective. The project was funded by the eSafety Commissioner’s Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program – an Australian Government initiative.