Shocking stats reveal almost half of LGBT Londoners have experienced hate crime
Almost half of LGBT Londoners have experienced a hate crime, according to new stats.
The shocking findings come as part of Pride in London’s hate crime research ahead of this year’s festival.
The findings reveal 42% of LGBT Londoners believe they have been a victim of hate crime in the last 12 months.
Even more fear they will be targetted, with 68% saying they worry about being victim of hate crime.
The figures are double that of the population at large, with 18% of UK adults saying they have been a hate crime victim.
Pride in London is now calling for more people to report their experiences in a bid to help tackle the issue.
Real life incidents of hate crime will now be shown on more than 80 posters across London to raise awareness of the issue.
Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, Met lead for combating hate crime said lack of reporting is one of the biggest issues for claping down on hate crimes.
He said: “The Metropolitan Police is committed to supporting the LGBT+ community and we welcome Pride in London’s campaign that aims to encourage victims of hate crime to come forward and report it.
“Only through better reporting can we better understand the issue, offer support to those who need it, and tackle the root cause in our communities.
“We take hate crime very seriously and would appeal to anyone who witnesses or suffers any hate of any type to immediately report it so that action can quickly be taken and catch those who are responsible.”
A new website, hatehappened.com, supported by the Met Police and LGBT anti-violence charity Galop, has also been launched to raise awareness of reporting.
Last year hate crimes had risen to their highest level in the wake of the Brexit vote.
Pride in London co-chairs, Alison Camps and Michael Salter-Church, said: “Reported hate crime is the tip of the iceberg.
“As a community, LGBT+ people face all kinds of daily ‘micro-aggressions’.
“From having to explain that as a same sex couple you do want a double room in a hotel, to being frowned at for holding your partner’s hand in the street.
“For a brief time we’re highlighting this across London to raise awareness of the issue.”
Nik Noone, CEO of Galop added: “Hate crime isn’t just something that happens at night in the street; 60% of incidents reported to Galop happen in or near people’s homes.
“Many LGBT+ people, especially trans people, experience hate incidents on a regular basis.
“Hate crime victim satisfaction rates are lower than for other types of crime.
“Trans people especially report bad experiences with the police and criminal justice system, and some use non-reporting as a strategy to protect information about their identity from being shared without consent.”
