Cases of LGBTQ+ hate crimes rising in Suffolk
Nearly 150 incidents of sexual orientation or transphobic hate crimes were recorded between January and August this year
There has been a steady increase in the number of hate crimes recorded against LGBTQ+ people in Suffolk.
New analysis shows that 146 cases of sexual orientation hate crime were reported in 2019, 175 in 2020 while at least 125 incidents were recorded in the county between January to August 2021 alone.
The picture is also worrying nationally. In fact, while offences averaged 1,456 a month from January to April this year, they jumped to 2,211 on average from May to August.
There is a similar trend for transphobic offences, which averaged 208 a month from January to April, but 324 for May to August.
The figures were obtained by the PA news agency, based on freedom of information responses from 37 of 46 police forces.
Andy Fell works with Suffolk-based LGBTQ youth charity Outreach Youth. He says the numbers are concerning but that it is also important to look behind the figures and see the impact these hate crimes have on victims.
"We've talked to young people about this, and you know there's an emotional reaction, so they become anxious. They become depressed by it. They start to feel as if there's no control in their lives.
"They may withdraw and become isolated and and actually they also may turn to self harm or alcohol or substance misuse. In some cases I think probably some young people have also thought about taking their own lives."
It is difficult to ascertain the true number of homophobic and transphobic hate crime because it continues to be under-reported.
Mr Fell explains why: "We've seen a consistent pattern from young people who tell us that they get used to the bullying or the incidents as they happen, particularly in schools. So when it happens outside of school, they are reluctant to report it.
"Some young people would say well they feel as if they're making a fuss, or they are snitching by talking to the police."
He adds that another reason for the underreporting is the fact that many victims may still be unable to express their identity to their families and are worried that making a complaint would mean they have to out themselves.
Charity Stonewall described the rise as "worrying" and said the figures are a "stark reminder" that LGBTQ+ people are "still at risk of attack because of who we are".
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) strongly encouraged victims to come forward and said officers are highly trained and will "treat everyone with respect and dignity and handle cases sensitively".
Mr Fell echoes that sentiment. "Report incidents, however small, because then there's a real indication about the level of LGBT hate crime across Suffolk. That may seen tedious but that will give the evidence people need to provide more initiatives and dedicated support services."
He also believes that everyone, no matter their orientation, should play their part. "We have individual responsibility to call out LGBT abuse whenever we see it. You don't have to be LGBT to do that. So long as it's safe to do so, then actually you can support those that are being targeted and by letting them know that you're an ally.
"We should encourage organisations to take a visible stand about hate crime and actually supporting these initiatives. And rather than having a hate crime month, actually e we need to drip feed it across the whole 12 months because you know, it happens across the year."
For those people who maybe victims or just generally seek support, Mr Fell has the following advice: "Historically, the LGBT community has stepped up themselves to deal with these issues and so actually there is support out there. Make contact with support groups, and if you're older than the age-group we work with, still reach out to us because we could sign-post and support you through other organisations."
Details from the figures:
- 24 forces recorded their highest monthly number of homophobic offences since the start of 2019 during the period May-August 2021
- Some 2,129 transphobic offences were recorded in January to August this year - well above the equivalent period in 2019 (1,602) and 2020 (1,606)
- At least 6,985 homophobic hate crimes classed as violence against the person were recorded from January-August 2021 - almost matching the whole of 2019 (7,078) and close to the 2020 total (7,944)
- Violent transphobic crimes are also on course to exceed previous years, with at least 1,207 recorded to August 2021 compared with 1,216 and 1,354 for all of 2019 and 2020 respectively
Leni Morris, chief executive of Galop, the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, said it launched its hate crime helpline in February 2021 "because we saw a real impact on the community from the pandemic itself".
She said same-sex couples were more visible when out in public during periods of restrictions, and others faced "escalating violence" when locked down with homophobic or transphobic neighbours.
"We have some people who were victims of abuse and attacks because of being blamed for the pandemic itself, either because perpetrators thought the pandemic was an act of God - because of the existence of LGBT+ people - or because of the community's association with the last major pandemic in people's minds, and that's the HIV Aids pandemic."