EHRC launches new project to help tackle LGBT hate crime
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has launched a 16-month-long project to tackle significant under-reporting of hate crime against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people in Great Britain. Recent figures in England and Wales show less than 4,500 homophobic and transphobic incidents and crimes reported to police between 2012 and 2013, with just under 750 reports in Scotland. However, the Crime Survey for England and Wales indicate 39,000 homophobic incidents took place in the same period.
The Commission, which promotes and enforces the laws that protect everyone's right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect, is now working with LGB and T organisations, the government, criminal justice and other agencies to improve recognition, reporting and prevention of these crimes.
A major issue in relation to LGB and T hate crimes are that victims are not reporting incidents because they fear the authorities will not take them seriously, but also that people's accounts are not being recorded in the first place.
The Commission’s project will seek to develop alternative channels for reporting incidents for people who do not wish to go to the official authorities. Particular attention will be paid to rural communities where reporting is especially low.
Equality and Human Rights Commissioner Evelyn Asante-Mensah said: “Everyone in Britain should feel confident and sufficiently empowered to recognise and report incidents of hatred, hostility and harassment and yet we know that for LGB and T people this is very often not the case.
“It is difficult to tackle crimes that are not reported. Therefore, addressing under-reporting is crucial to the broader aim of reducing these incidents and creating a fairer and safer society.”
The National Policing Lead for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Issues, Chief Constable Jane Sawyers, said: “We strongly encourage all victims and witnesses of hate crime to report incidents to the police by calling 101 or using our True Vision website www.report-it.org.uk.”
About The Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It operates as an independent body to protect and promote equality and human rights in Great Britain. It aims to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 and is accredited by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institution.
