A transgender woman from Stockton-on-Tees, England, has been convicted of sexually assaulting a 21-year-old man after failing to disclose her gender identity before engaging in sexual activity.
The incident occurred in June 2022 when the two met through the social media platform Snapchat.
During their initial meeting, the woman, Ciara Watkin, informed the man that she was menstruating and requested that he refrain from touching her below the waist.
Subsequently, she ceased all communication with him. Several days later, Watkin re-established contact and revealed via text messages that she was transgender and possessed male genitalia.
The Crown Prosecution Service reported that Watkin did not make any attempt to inform the man of her transgender status prior to their sexual encounter.
The victim stated that had he been aware of her gender identity, he would not have consented to the sexual activity.
He also expressed that the experience had a profound effect on his mental health.
Watkin admitted to providing false information but maintained that it would have been “blindingly obvious” to the man that she was not biologically female.
However, the jury at Teesside Crown Court convicted her of two counts of sexual assault and one count of assault by penetration. She is scheduled to be sentenced on October 10.
This case has sparked discussions about consent and the responsibilities individuals have in disclosing pertinent information to potential sexual partners.