Lifestyle

Homophobic crime

Many of us will at some time in our lives have experienced some kind of homophobic abuse. Sometimes it may take the form of name calling, sometimes it may take the form of physical violence. Whatever the form, it is unacceptable and illegal, and Hampshire Police will take it seriously.

The number of homophobic crimes in Hampshire has been rising sharply. This may be because we are now more comfortable, as a community, in reporting it, and this is an important step forward in the fight against homophobia. Reporting homophobic crime is important for a number of reasons:

• it provides valuable information for the Police and other agencies, so that they can be aware of patterns of crime.
  This may help to identify trends over time, or particular crime 'hotspots' so that police resources can be targeted in the most effective way.
• More targeted policing may help to prevent such crime in the future.
• Left unreported attackers are free to commit the same offence again.
• Some offenders think teat they can get away with harassment and other offences because they won't be reported.

Healthy Gay Hampshire is part of a partnership of the three gay community organisations in Hampshire, known as the Hampshire Gay Health Alliance. Realising that some people may not feel comfortable reporting homophobic crime to the Police, in conjunction with Hampshire Police, we have developed a new scheme for reporting homophobic crime whereby crimes can be reported via the HGHA.

If you believe that you, or someone you know, has been subject to a homophobic incident then you can phone in a report to the Project's helpline or office number, email us with an account of what happened including as much detail as possible, or look out for one of the new green and purple 'Stamp It Out' leaflets stocked in all full time gay venues or the True Vision reporting packs. The Stamp It Out leaflets can be re-folded into a stamped addressed envelope and sent directly to the HGHA. You have the option of asking us not to pass your details onto the Police, however you will need to provide us with a way to contact you for it to be recorded as a crime. We may also be able to offer you more support, or need to ask you for more information.

If you would like to contact the Police directly their number is 0845 045 45 45. If you would like to speak to one of the lesbian & gay liaison officers ask to leave a message for them and they will call you back.

Links: Hampshire Gay Health Alliance