Transgender Woman Convicted of Sexual Assault for Failing to Disclose Gender Identity

A 21-year-old transgender woman, Ciara Watkin, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a male partner. The British prosecutors stated that the assault occurred because Watkin failed to disclose her gender status, thereby preventing the man from providing informed consent to the sexual activity.

The incident involved Watkin performing sexual acts on the 21-year-old man. The pair had initially connected on the social media platform Snapchat in June 2022. During their initial encounter, Watkin informed the man that she was on her period, preventing him from touching her below the waist.

Following a subsequent meeting, Watkin ceased all contact with the man. Eventually, she re-established contact and revealed her transgender status, including the fact that she had male genitalia, through text messages. The Crown Prosecution Service emphasized that Watkin had not informed the man of her transgender status before the sexual activity.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Sarah Nelson stated that the victim had made it clear to the police that he would not have engaged in sexual activity had he known about Watkin's transgender status. The events have had a considerable impact on his mental well-being.

Watkin, who resides in Stockton-on-Tees, admitted to lying. However, her defense argued that it should have been "blindingly obvious" to the man that she was not biologically female. After a trial at Teesside Crown Court, she was convicted of two counts of sexual assault and one count of assault by penetration. Sentencing is scheduled for October 10.