Homophobic and Transphobic abuse
A homophobic or transphobic incident is one which is perceived to be homophobic or transphobic by the victim or any other person.
Homophobic and transphobic abuse are a hate crimes motivated by the irrational intolerance, fear and hatred of homosexual and transgender people. It is committed against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people because of their sexual and gender identity.
Homophobic and transphobic crimes can take many different forms including:
- Verbal abuse, personal insults, threats, derogatory language designed to humiliate, degrading treatment, name-calling
- Physical abuse, spitting, hitting, pushing, using weapons
- Damage to property, physical attacks and murder
Homophobic and transphobic crimes may reduce a victim’s quality of life, making them feel frightened, humiliated, ridiculed or undermined.
Victim Support Southwark (VSS) has a dedicated Homophobic and Transphobic Crime Caseworker and volunteers who are trained to give specialist information and emotional support. Our service is free and strictly confidential.
If you decide to report the crime we can offer support and advice, and even accompany you to the police station. We work closely with the Southwark Police LGBT Liaison Officer.However, you do not have to report the crime to access our services.
There are ways to report homophobic crimes anonymously, should you wish to, through website such as Galop.
If you have been hurt, whether physically or emotionally, it is a serious matter – and we will take it seriously.