Trans woman shares horrific facial injuries following attack that saw her targeted and beaten up by a group of men on a bus
A trans woman has shared a horrific photograph of herself looking battered and bruised after she was allegedly attacked by two teenagers on a bus.
Jessica, 31, from Coventry, said she was beaten up by the men on Sunday night in city while travelling on the bus to Pool Meadow. Her phone was also stolen and her glasses were broken during the attack.
She shared the incident on social media alongside a photograph showing both eyes purpled and swollen, while blood stains appear around her nose and mouth. It appears that she is unable to open her left eye due to the swelling.
Writing on X, she said: 'Last night I was beaten up in Coventry in a transphobic hate crime by a group of men. My phone was stolen. My glasses were broken and I can barely see. This is our daily reality.'
The woman asked supporters to donate to her GoFundMe page, which was set up in October 2022, in a bid to raise £5,000 to help her transition into a more feminine body as her wait time on the NHS is currently over four years.
Jessica, from Coventry, said she was beaten up on Sunday night in city by four men, with her phone being stolen and her glasses broken during the attack
The woman asked supporters to donate to her GoFundMe page, which was set up in October 2022, in a bid to raise £5,000 to help her transition into a more feminine body
Jessica, whose surname we are choosing not to reveal, said the incident happened on a bus approaching Pool Meadow at around 7.50pm
Jessica, whose surname we are choosing not to reveal, said the incident happened on a bus approaching Pool Meadow at around 7.50pm. Jessica then said she was taking to hospital by police officers.
The woman, who returned to hospital today for further treatment, also shared a letter said to be from the University Hospital in Coventry, which listed her injuries, including a fracture to her orbital socket.
It said that she was assaulted by four people on Sunday evening and was seen in A&E. She was then given a CT scan before being discharged.
Police officers are now reviewing CCTV and investigating a suspected assault and allegation of a hate crime after the victim was subject to verbal abuse.
Jessica decided to share the hospital letter to prove to her 'trolls' that she was not 'faking the massive swelling on her face'.
The woman has been raising money to help with her transition since October 2022.
She was put on the wait list for the NHS Gender Identity Clinics, which can take over four years, so decided to create the fundraiser as she couldn't 'wait that long'.
Asking for donations, Jessica explained that she is on universal credit as despite being a qualified teacher she is unable to work due to mental health issues, including complex PTSD.
She added on her fundraiser that she tries to work a few hours as a content writer.
Jessica has been raising money to help with her transition since October 2022
Jessica wrote: 'If you can contribute anything towards this I'd be very grateful. When I am back in work I will show that gratitude by contributing to similar fundraisers and community causes; any left over funds will be similarly paid forward.'
She added: 'I can't wait four years for treatment that the NHS doesn't currently offer for nonbinary trans people. I am concerned for my mental health in the short and long term if I can't access therapy or transition.
'If you can help in any way that would be very much appreciated.'
Last night, Jessica shared a video on X revealing the extent of her injuries for those who said her injuries were a 'hoax'.
'There's one swollen eye,' she said. 'It's quite swollen and doesn't really want to open. Here's the other one, it's a bit better and you can see my face is all swollen down here and can see the bruises.
'I would show you the inside of my mouth where it's cut but that's a little bit gross.'
Last year, hate crimes against transgender people hit a record high in England and Wales with police forces recording an 11 per cent spike in incidents.
A total of 145,214 hate crime offences were recorded in the year ending March 2023, down 5 per cent from 153,536 in the previous 12 months, the Home Office said. The total had previously risen every year since 2012/13.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police told MailOnline: 'We’re investigating after a woman was assaulted on a bus in Pool Meadow, Coventry on Sunday (7 April) at around 8pm.
'The 31-year-old was sitting on the top deck of the E101 bus when she was approached by two teenagers who repeatedly punched her in the face and stole her mobile phone. She was taken to hospital to be treated for facial injuries.
'CCTV is being reviewed and enquiries are ongoing. We are also investigating an allegation of a hate crime after the victim was subjected to verbal abuse.
'We understand that experiencing a hate crime is extremely distressing and upsetting and we want to reassure anyone who is targeted that we will listen, their report will be treated with sensitivity and we will take action.'
Anyone with information or who witnessed this assault can contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101. Please quote crime reference number 20/386207/24.
