Today, the Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA) and FORGE released – SORVO: Anti-Transgender Entities and Trans+ People. The groundbreaking report exposes how accusations of sexual violence and propaganda have shaped public perception, congressional debates, and legislation targeting the trans+ community.
The research reveals how anti-trans+ politicians, media pundits, and influencers fabricate and sensationalize sexual violence committed by trans+ people, making it appear as though they are committing it at high rates. Meanwhile, these anti-trans entities cover up and deny mass sexual violence committed against the trans+ community.
The SVPA has coined this form of narrative manipulation SORVO – systemic oppression justified by reversing victim and offender. Propaganda reversing victim and offender fuels political speeches, media coverage, and policy conversations building support for sports bans, bathroom bills, medical restrictions, and direct violence.
The current use of SORVO against trans+ people mirrors its historic use to build support for oppression during Jim Crow, Apartheid, and the Holocaust by accusing marginalized groups of committing sexual violence. This was explored in the SVPA’s foundational SORVO framework, released in 2024, demonstrating how systemic oppression is justified by reversing who is perceived as the victim and offender of sexual violence.
“SORVO isn’t new. Black people were called rapists to justify Jim Crow. Jewish people were called sexual deviants to justify the Holocaust. Now, trans+ people are called pedophiles to justify oppressive policies, discrimination, and hate crimes,” said Omny Miranda Martone, Founder and CEO of SVPA. “Of the 90 federal bills introduced in 2025 that pertain to trans+ people, 57 (65%) use SORVO to justify oppressing trans people.”
“We cannot allow political leaders to use sexual violence to justify oppressing trans people,” said Katie Knick, Director of Research at the SVPA. “We encourage educators, activists, journalists, legislators, and the general public to engage with this report. Knowing SORVO and calling it out weakens it.”
To kickoff the report, the SVPA and FORGE are hosting a webinar titled, “Anti-Trans+ Sexual Violence Propaganda: Outlining SORVO’s Harm.” The event will bring together survivors, activists, reporters, researchers, and changemakers to engage in robust discussions of the report. Attendees will plan strategic actions in their respective fields to interrupt SORVO by debunking false accusations and amplifying trans+ survivors’ voices.
“Trans/nonbinary people experience high rates of sexual violence and other forms of harm. We know that state-sanctioned hate and violence contribute to these experiences. This report is critical in highlighting the connections between systemic abuse and interpersonal violence.” said Emil Rudicell, Program Manager at FORGE.
To learn more read the full report or watch the webinar.
About Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA)
The SVPA is the first and only organization dedicated to preventing sexual violence systemically. The national nonprofit, preventing sexual violence systemically by addressing root causes, reforming institutions, and creating safer systems across the United States. Founded in 2021, SVPA helps to prevent sexual violence through legislation, prevention guides, education, and coined frameworks like SORVO.
About FORGE
FORGE reduces the impact of trauma on trans/nonbinary survivors and communities by empowering service providers, advocating for systems reform, and connecting survivors to healing possibilities. FORGE strives to create a world where ALL voices, people, and bodies are safe, supported, valued, respected, honored, and celebrated. Their work is trauma-informed, empowerment-focused, and culturally-responsive.
