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Are Social Services Agencies in the U.S. Inclusive of Transgender Survivors? A Website Analysis
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Are Social Services Agencies in the U.S. Inclusive of Transgender Survivors? A Website Analysis

Lyuchen Ben, Julie M. Koch, Duhita Mahatmya and Josephine E. Amick
Journal of social service research, Vol.52(2), pp.357-371
04/2026
DOI: 10.1080/01488376.2025.2542268

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Abstract

The prevalence of domestic violence (DV), intimate partner violence (IPV), and sexual violence (SV) among the transgender community is high. Browsing websites, for many survivors, is the first step to seeking help. This study aimed to investigate the inclusivity of social services agencies’ websites in the U.S. a content analysis. Research aims were to determine (1) the percentage of the sites that demonstrate inclusivity and (2) differences in geographical locations (i.e., urban vs nonurban areas, regions, and states). Using modified random sampling, forty websites were selected through eight state directories in four regions. The results showed that 73.75% of the websites were not transgender inclusive. Sites in urban areas demonstrated significantly more inclusivity than sites in nonurban areas. Sites in the West region met significantly more criteria than sites in the South region. Sites in Colorado and Nebraska met more criteria. The overall low inclusivity of 40 websites is in alignment with the literature. Service providers, stakeholders, and policy makers can utilize this study to inform practices including website design, training, fund raising, and gender-affirmative services. Future studies can increase the sample size to evaluate more websites or investigate transgender people’s experiences with and needs from agencies’ websites.
 Domestic Violence Content analysis transgender intimate partner violence sexual violence

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