By Lucas Gutiérrez Photo: Ariel Gutraich For the second time this year, Yhajaira Falcón was the victim of a transphobic attack in the Chacarita neighborhood of Buenos Aires. The activist told Presentes that on Sunday the 18th, around midnight, the same police officer who had assaulted her in June attacked her and stole money from her as she returned from buying something at a kiosk near her home. She filed a report about the first attack at the 15th Precinct, where her gender identity was not respected. That complaint had no consequences, she says. Falcón (49) is Venezuelan, a trans activist, and works in the Program Against Institutional Violence of the Public Defender's Office of the City of Buenos Aires. “The same police officer who hit me last time, along with another officer, punched me in the face. They both beat me with sticks.” Falcón recounts how a group of young people came out of a restaurant to defend her, preventing further harm. “In the same place, the same police officer beat me in June of this year. He’s there every night, and even though we filed a report, they never investigated him. Now I’m terrified. I want to move,” Falcón said. She hasn’t yet filed a report for this second attack because she’s still bedridden due to her injuries.

"The panic button they gave me didn't work."

In June of this year, a group of young people attacked Yhajaira in the same area. In addition to this attack, the activist reported mistreatment by police officers. “These cases generally end up being dismissed, and the state response is quite limited. In this case, the measure taken was to give her a panic button, which exposed her to greater police surveillance,” Josefina Alfonsín, advisor to the Gender and Sexual Diversity Team of the National Penitentiary Ombudsman's Office, told this publication. “The panic button they gave me didn't work; it would press itself. Suddenly, I had three police officers at my door all the time. I was terrified. It means the police know where I live. I'm going to have to move,” explained Yhajaira, who returned the button and decided not to replace it. “This highlights the need to find new methods of care and protection in cases of police violence,” added Josefina Alfonsín.

A case of police recidivism

Falcón explained that the police officer's aggression began when she intervened after he was assaulting a trans woman in public. “This officer attacked a woman who was working in that area. When I defended her and told him where I work, he told me, 'It's none of your business, faggot.' The woman filed a report, but nothing came of it.”

Chacarita, a dangerous neighborhood for trans people

Lara Bertolini, a worker at the Public Prosecutor's Office and a trans activist, told Presentes: “Regarding the security forces, trans identities are still treated just as badly as in the '90s. What's more, violence and rape against trans people have increased. They continue to sexually and economically abuse trans people.” Given the repeated complaints of police mistreatment when going to police stations, Bertolini suggested: “It's preferable to go to a prosecutor's office or a public defender's office where they can advise you on filing a complaint, take a statement, and then forward it to the corresponding prosecutor's office depending on the crime.” In the Chacarita neighborhood, complaints—sometimes formal, sometimes through word of mouth or on social media—of attacks against trans people continue unabated. “I'm afraid, but moving these days isn't easy, much less with the salary I earn,” said Falcón. Regarding the constant attacks on her fellow activist and other trans people, Bertolini added: “It’s time to get the names and badge numbers of the police officers and file complaints with human rights organizations. The security forces are emboldened and will use all possible violence to intimidate those of us who fight hardest for rights, freedoms, and respect for human dignity—who are none other than transvestites and trans people. We continue to be the slush fund and the graveyard. We are the unnamed in a democracy.”