Tackling Homophobia & Transphobia.

 

 Tackling Homophobia & Transphobia.

 

Introduction

 

Homophobia is the irrational fear and hatred of homosexuality, often resulting in incidents of homophobic harassment.

At its worst, homophobia results in violence against lesbians and gay men. Stonewall is a national lobbying group working for Lesbian and Gay equality. In a survey published late 1999 it concluded that one in three lesbian and gay men experienced harassment because of their sexual orientation. Three quarters had been verbally abused and they stated they had suffered some degree of harassment or discrimination ranging from comments to violent assaults.

 

National Context.

 

Homophobia and Transphobia has not gone away, in fact on a national level there has been a rise in the number of incidents of homophobic harassment and abuse.

 

Preventing, reducing and detecting crime, providing safety and security for all is at the heart of any civil society. These words are echoed in the Home office document Building Safer Communities, Beating Crime.

 

Local Authorities in partnership with both voluntary and statutory agencies need to continue to work to towards reducing and eliminating hate crimes, which include dealing with Homophobia and Transphobia harassment and abuse. More work is required in ensuring victims of crime receive help and support, non-more so than victims of Homophobia and Transphobia abuse.

Homophobic incidents (incidents committed against, or towards members of the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender community) were first formally recorded by South Yorkshire Police in 2001. This was following recognition of a growing problem and its hidden nature. Victims were traditionally unwilling/or unable to report incidents as they felt that they would not be taken seriously or could be victimised for their sexuality.

 

 

A number of steps have been taken to increase confidence in reporting, including awarenenss raising, anonymous Internet reporting and other support. However, this issue remains largely hidden, with very few incidents formally recorded.

 

 

B-PaTH(Barnsley Partnership against Transphobia and Homophobia)

 

B-PaTH is committed to raising the awareness of lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, and needs in the Barnsley Borough.

 

 

 

Local Strategic Context

 

The role of the member agencies including voluntary and statutory is vital to the work of B-PaTH. There are currently over 15 agencies that are members of B-PaTH.

The work of South Yorkshire Police is a vital component of our overall strategy. B-PaTH endeavour to ensure that links are made to mirror the work of South Yorkshire police on an annual basis.

Consultation with leaders of Minority Ethnic community groups including BBEMI has been ongoing and will continue.

 

What we need to do- Approach  

 

Summarised as key priorities:

 

1. Increase active participation and accountability of under involved agencies.
2. Develop a positive publicity and awareness raising campaign aimed at dispelling myths, highlighting positive achievements, and raising the profile of B-PaTH.
3. Reduce under-reporting and increase confidence in the system by aiming to get more successful action against perpetrators, but also ensuring follow up reporting and feedback to victims.
4. Ensure multi- agency procedures are in place to protect and support victims.
5. Continue to develop a thorough evaluation of the work of B-PaTH.
6. Review current procedures and practices of all partner agencies.
7. Attempt to establish a B-PaTH coordinator to continue working within the Barnsley Safer Communities Partnership, and seek appropriate funding for this post.

 

How to report an incident. (Insert reporting procedure)

 

Useful numbers;

Contact any of the following agencies should you experience any problems hate crime.

 

South Yorkshire Police 01142 202020 or if the incident is serious 999.

 

South Yorkshire Police Community Engagement Unit Barnsley 01226 736138

 

B-PaTH (Safer Communities Partnership office) 01226 774991

 

Victim Support Barnsley 01226 243761

 

Domestic Violence Helpline 01226 249800

 

 

(Link to safeinsouthyorks website)

 

Link to our reporting form

 

Leaflet.