Lead Pic by Jim Carey
While hate crime statistics, released on Thursday, October 10, suggest there is a downward trend in reported hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, Stonewall believes official numbers may not paint the full picture.
The LGBTQ+ rights charity’s research shows less than half of LGBTQ+ people feel safe holding their partner’s hand in public. And according to a survey by Galop, only 1 in 8 people reported their experiences to the police.
According to Stonewall, the reporting of hate crimes needs to be as accurate as possible. The charity is currently working to remove barriers to reporting and to better understand anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes.
The Labour Government has pledged in their manifesto to make anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes an aggravated offence, which would mean LGBTQ+ people have the same protections as people who experience other hate crimes.
Simon Blake, CEO of Stonewall, said: “While the Home Office official statistics reveals a drop in reported hate crime motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity, the huge increase in religious hate crimes in the last year is deeply worrying.
“We stand together with everyone affected by hate crime, whatever community they are part of. We know hate crime has a ripple effect. A rise in hatred towards one marginalised group is harmful to everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community, and has a corrosive effect across society.
“We need to work together to stand hand in hand against hate crime and report it when we see it happen. We know hate crime reported to the police is only part of the picture, so it’s vital all those affected have access to support. The fight against hatred is shared, so we must work together to build a society where everyone is safe and respected and free from harm.”
Stonewall is campaigning for LGBTQ+ safety with its new Hold My Hand campaign.
Anti-LGBTQ+ hate should be reported to the authorities, but for those who aren’t ready to go to the police, it can also be flagged using new technologies such as the Zoteria app. Through Zoteria, people can get direct support from Galop to make an official police report, if they wish to do so.