Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) is aware of the death of a 14-year-old transgender girl in western Pennsylvania. According to police, Pauly Likens was murdered and dismembered, her body was found July 2 in Sharon, Mercer County. The suspect has been arrested and police say they will pursue state hate crime charges against him. The Pennsylvania State Police are also investigating.
“As the Chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, I extend my sincerest condolences to Pauly Likens' family and friends,” said PHRC Chair Joel Bolstein, Esq. “This tragic and gruesome death underscores the needs for protections for the LGBTQ+ community in Pennsylvania and our nation. While I am pleased to see officials pursuing hate crime charges, our Commonwealth needs to do more to prevent violence against transgendered Pennsylvanians.”
“The PHRC is heartbroken over the death of a teenage girl, and we extend our condolences to her friends and family at this tragic time,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “I’m grateful to see the Mercer County District Attorney pursuing hate crime charges against the suspect. This girl should be celebrating her 15th birthday, instead her family is mourning her tragic death. Across our country we see a growing trend of violence and vitriol against transgender individuals. Hate has no place in our Commonwealth. No one should be targeted simply for being who they are. Over the past few years, we have seen the number of reported hate crimes double. The PHRC supports all those who stand against homophobia, gender inequality, discrimination, and hate.”
According to the Human Rights Campaign’s 2023 Epidemic of Violence Against the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community in the United States report:
- 85% of victims killed in 2023 were people of color.
- 62% of victims killed in 2023 were Black transgender women.
- 83% of victims killed in 2023 were transgender women.
- Since 2013, one-in-ten victims were under the age of 21, and in 2023, over three-quarters of all victims were under the age of 35.
“The PHRC recognizes the seriousness of the accusations involved in the murder,” said PHRC Civil Rights Outreach Coordinator Supervisor Sheryl Meck, M.S. “This teen girl was tragically taken from her family, and it is comforting to know police are actively investigating hate crime charges. Last week, the Civil Rights Outreach Division held a community forum in Philadelphia discussing violence against transgender individuals following the death of a transgender woman in that city. This violence is pervasive and the PHRC has the resources to provide outreach, training, and education to communities across the Commonwealth.”
In 2024, the PHRC established a Civil Rights Outreach Division to address civil tensions, conflict, and incidents in communities and promote anti-discrimination through education and outreach. Through this division, the PHRC can:
- Provide complex facilitation and conflict resolution services for communities facing struggles and tensions related to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, LGBTQ+ status, national origin, familial status, or disability status pursuant to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
- Provide training and consultation services to public officials and community representatives and provide them with the skills and mechanisms necessary to prevent and resolve future tensions.
- Lead local projects or initiatives in conjunction with communities to prevent conflict.
- Engage in proactive outreach to educate the public about the dangers of bias and hate and the importance of anti-racism.
The PHRC, the state’s civil rights enforcement agency, promotes equal opportunity and enforces Pennsylvania's civil rights laws that protect people from unlawful discrimination. The PHRC does not have the authority to charge or investigate hate crimes or criminal offenses; however, the PHRC does track incidents reported to us and can help determine if the incident also violates the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. To report a hate crime, contact your local police department or the Pennsylvania State Police.
The PHRC offers specific training tailored to the needs of an organization on many topics, which among others, include the following:
- Civil Rights Law and PHRC Jurisdiction
- PHRC Overview & How to File a Complaint
- Bullying and Harassment Prevention
- Bias and Hate Speech
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB)
- Cultural Awareness
The goal of every training and event is to promote equal opportunity, and help communities, public agencies, businesses, and schools prevent or eliminate illegal discrimination.
The PHRC urges anyone who has experienced discrimination or hate to file a complaint with the PHRC by calling 717-787-4410. Information and resources are also available at www.pa.gov/en/agencies/phrc.
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