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Hate Crime

Definition

Hate Crime is any offence committed against a person or property which is motivated by the offender's hatred of people because they are seen as being different. Homophobic hate crime is where the aggressor's prejudice against any lesbian, gay or bisexual person is a factor in who is victimised.

Statistics

Findings from the 2002-2003 Stonewall Cymru survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual people showed:

• More than 1 in 3 respondents reported being the victim of physical violence or bullying.
• Nearly 57% of respondents reported experiencing verbal abuse and harassment because of their sexuality.
• 64% experienced name calling or public ridicule.

Click here for more information about how the police, courts, and CPS address homophobic hate crime .

Reporting Hate Crime

• Media plays a vital role in influencing opinion about lesbian, gay and bisexual people (LGB). How you report a hate crime will determine how your readers respond to the victim.
• Including phrases in reporting such as 'the victim was openly gay' or somehow 'flaunted her/his sexuality' suggests to readers that the victim is somehow responsible for the crime: that they 'brought it on themselves'. This can serve to endorse some people's prejudices, and reinforce fears in the LGB community that they can expect to be targeted because they are 'different.' It can also further dissuade LGB people from reporting hate crime to the police. For the safety of the whole LGB community, it is important that hate crime is reported in a fair and sensitive manner.
• Look Out can provide you more information about hate crime, case studies and details of potential interviewees.