Thanks to all those involved with the Homophobic Hate Crime Task Group for the support, help and input into the research, Tracy Booker, Javier Santana-Acosta, Peter Smith, Peter Stocks, Lee Smith, and Ann Kendal.

We would also like to thank:

Peter Brown for allowing us to adapt his questionnaire for Calderdale. I would also like to thank Peter for his help at the beginning of the research, discussing and going over his research/methods/analysis in Kirklees. This provided a useful perspective before carrying out the research in Calderdale.

Calderdale Community Safety Partnership for the funding to do the research.

All those who helped distribute the questionnaire, and all LGB’s across Calderdale for completing the questionnaires and the two interviewees.

The transperson who took the time to write an in-depth letter to us. Detailing the abuse, which had been received on a regular basis.

West Yorkshire Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Policing Initiative for funding towards Pride, September 30^th.

The Brunswick centre, for allowing the Homophobic Hate Crime Task Group to meet on their premises.

Calderdale Probation Service for printing the questionnaires.

© GALYIC 2001

The right of Paula Atherill and Jan Bridget to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

The Home Office has recommended that local authorities and police areas consult with lesbian and gay people with regard to Crime and Disorder.

GALYIC (Gay and Lesbian Youth in Calderdale) acquired funding from Calderdale Community Safety Partnership to set up a Homophobic Hate Crime (HHC) Task Group and employ a researcher to conduct a survey into the levels of homophobic hate crime in Calderdale. Paula Atherill was appointed on 25^th May.

The aim of the project is to help towards the development of a Crime & Disorder Reduction Strategy with regard to Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual communities in Calderdale.

A literature review revealed that international, national, regional and local research (with LGB young people) provides clear evidence of the levels of abuse LGB people endure. An approximate summary of all research shows: 50-70% of LGB people have experienced verbal abuse; 40-60% harassment; and 10-20% physical assault. Around one tenth of victims report homophobic incidents to the police.

There are many projects set up to combat homophobic hate crime both in Britain and abroad; the review includes some examples.

Homophobic bullying in schools is highlighted, as are the main organisations challenging homophobic bullying in the UK.

Homophobia and homophobic hate crime are linked with internalised homophobia which has severe effects on the mental well-being of LGB people. Britain are about 20 years behind the USA regarding mental health needs of LGB people. This section includes an up-to-date review of recent publications.

The Homophobic Hate Crime Task Group and lead person, Jan Bridget, played an important role in over-seeing the research project and making decisions about important aspects of methodology e.g. agreeing to amend the Peter Brown questionnaire, distribution of the questionnaire via private networks and identified venues and dissemination.

Paula Atherill, the researcher, worked alongside the Task Group and was responsible for the literature review (with the exception of the mental health section), amending the questionnaire, transferring data from the questionnaires to computer, interviewing participants (one male, one female) and transferring data from audio tape to computer, conducting an analysis of the findings, producing the findings section of the report, producing an interim summary paper, presenting the findings to LGB people at the Pride event and at the half-day seminar.

Jan Bridget wrote the background, methodology, the bulk of the discussion section and the recommendations. Jan also organised the half-day seminar.

The report was brought together by Paula which included producing the leading and ending pages (references, glossary and appendices) and the art work.

Jan and Paula produced the executive summary.

The questionnaire generated a response of 49 LGB’s. 67% (33) women versus 33% (16) men. The study defined:

The sample provided a wide age range, from age 14 to 67, mean age 39. 86% of respondents were living in Calderdale.

Less than a third of respondents socialised mainly on the scene. 84% say ‘most’ or ‘everyone’ knows about their sexuality.

69% of respondents were working; 14% were in education; 12% were retired; 1 person was unemployed; and 1 person was volunteering. 96% of respondents were white; 2 respondents said they were disabled.

69% (34) of respondents have been a victim of a HHC at some point in their lives; 76% (25) of women and 56% (9) of men.

55% (27) have been a victim of a HHC within the last 5 years; 70% (23) of women and 25% (4) of men.

The type of incident and levels of experience amongst all respondents, women and men can be seen in table 1.

Table 1 Type of incident and level of experienced over the last 5 years.

(n): Shows actual number of respondents

Women had experienced much higher levels of all types of abuse except physical assault.

The majority of incidents occurred on the street (62%) and at home (18%). 21% of incidents took place in Halifax; 24% in Hebden Bridge; 27% in Todmorden.

82% of respondents have never reported an incident to the police.

When respondents were asked whether they would seek help from Victim Support in the future; 21% replied ‘yes’; 61% replied ‘maybe’; and 18% replied ‘no’.

35% of women (11 out of 31 respondents to the question) have experienced domestic violence vs. 19% of men (3 out of 16)

The survey was limited to those people who were out to some extent and in contact with other LGB people either through personal networks or venues frequented by LGB people. LGB people who lived in the more rural areas, and who are multi-oppressed (adolescents, minority ethnic, disabled) were poorly represented. The survey was unusual in that there were more female (two-thirds) than male participants; the reverse is usually the case. There were no controls.

The findings reflect those of other British surveys but with a fifth more experiencing hate crime incidents than found in the recent national survey of over 10,000 LGB people.

Women were more likely to experience homophobic incidents (verbal, threats/intimidation, harassment, damage to property) than men although, as the national survey also reflected, men were more likely to experience physical assault.

Calderdale is unlike most other places in that there is a relatively large, out and visible, lesbian 'community' in the Upper Valley whereas there is only a small, visible, gay population. This probably accounts for the number of women who responded as well as the significant differences between male and female respondents.

There is HHC in Calderdale, including homophobic bullying in schools. Questions concerning the effects of this, apart from restrictions on behaviour e.g. not holding hands or kissing in public, were not included in the survey. However, there has been significant research in the USA which clearly links homophobia and homophobic hate crime to mental health problems.

Less than a fifth of the respondents who had experienced homophobic hate crime had ever reported an incident compared with a quarter from the national survey. Responses suggested that there was little confidence in the police or Victim Support.

A quarter of the participants had experienced same-sex domestic violence. This was not covered in the literature review and the report calls for further research into this area.

A presentation of the findings was given to LGB people at Calderdale Pride, 30^th September; they will be presented to relevant agencies December 11^th (10-12) at Halifax Town Hall when agencies will have an opportunity to respond to the findings.

This report will be distributed to relevant agencies; a copy will be made available in Halifax Central Library and it will be made available on internet via the Lesbian Information Service website: www.lesbianinformationservice.org

© GALYIC 2001

1. Widening of Homophobic Hate Crime Task Group membership to include representatives from relevant agencies to agree a way forward. These meetings should be regular (at least six times a year) and should be open to the public.
2. Acknowledgment of similar issues/problems for transpeople and incorporation of transpeople within Homophobic Hate Crime Task Group.
3. Homophobia awareness training for all relevant agencies: Police, Youth Offending Team, Victim Support, Calderdale Community Safety Partnership, Magistrates, Information Shop, CABs, Crime Prosecution Service, etc.
4. Acquire funding for the post of LGB Safety Community Development Worker who would then develop support services (helpline, counselling, advocacy, support going to court, reporting system) and become the lead person on the HHC Task Group. (Brighton have been successful in acquiring significant funding from the Home Office to develop a similar project). Worker to keep up-to-date with developments in UK and abroad.
5. Encourage Police to appoint an out LGB police officer as the named person to whom LGB’s can contact for support/to report homophobic hate crime.
6. Encourage links between work challenging domestic violence and race hate crime.
7. Work needs to be conducted throughout Calderdale schools: the main perpetrators of homophobic hate crime tend to be young men. It is therefore critical to develop anti-homophobia work in schools. This should also have the effect of challenging homophobic bullying. It would necessitate a meeting with the relevant bodies (Youth Offending Team, Schools, Director of Education, the police, etc) to develop a plan and to acquire funding to further such a project. The literature review and feed-back from conferences should help to provide some ideas e.g. the London Metropolitan Police Force have provided funding to produce rainbow rubbers with 'Rub Out Homophobia' and rainbow rulers with 'Rule Out Homophobia' for distribution in schools.
8. Funding be made available to conduct a literature review of same-sex domestic violence. To include causes, differences between genders and any power imbalances. Findings from survey to be added and a report published. This should include specific recommendations in relation Work with Youth Offending Team to develop ways of challenging homophobic hate crime offenders.
9. Encourage agencies to develop LGB friendly services and referral systems. Once agencies more accessible to LGB people, encourage LGB people to become involved, e.g. as volunteers (Victim Support).
10. Encourage Mental Health Services to take on board effects of internalised homophobia and minority stress and provide appropriate services for the victims of homophobia.
11. Encourage GPs to develop their understanding of the effects of internalised homophobia and minority stress and refer to appropriate services.
12. Work with local media, churches, local authorities to help reduce homophobic views.

In 1997 a multi agency group consisting of Lesbian Information Service, Calderdale Health Promotion Centre and MSM (Men who have sex with Men Project), alongside some young lesbians, developed ACTION for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale, a research project whose aim was to identify the needs and experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people in Calderdale. Funding was acquired and the results of this in-depth, qualitative, study with 15 young LGB people were published in a 140-page document in 1999. Experience of verbal and physical abuse was a small part of the study; nevertheless, the findings did suggest that a significant proportion of LGB young people in Calderdale were likely to suffer from homophobic abuse.

As a result of the research project GALYIC (Gay and Lesbian Youth in Calderdale) was established in August 1999. The aims of GALYIC are to:

1. provide safe and confidential support for young lesbians, gays and bisexuals (LGB);

2. provide a point of contact in order to eliminate feelings of isolation and develop a sense of community within Calderdale;

3. raise the profile and awareness of LGB issues;

4. educate both heterosexuals and LGBs on issues which concern LGBs;

5. develop self-esteem and positive identity amongst LGB young people;

6. value equal opportunities, recognise and appreciate differences;

7. enable LGB young people to develop skills and confidence to help them recognise themselves, and to be recognised by the authorities, as full and equal citizens.

At the same time, the Calderdale Lesbian and Gay Inter-Agency Group (IAG) was set up. The purpose of the IAG was to:

1. encourage agencies (voluntary and statutory) within Calderdale to make appropriate support available to LGB young people;

2. help to implement local Recommendations within the ACTION Research Report;

3. facilitate networking of agencies/individuals involved in this work;

4. share examples of good practice;

5. ensure that information from the IAG is fed back into the relevant structures/policies.

The GALYIC youth support group has met on a weekly basis since August 1999 and has recently been awarded £62,000 from Comic Relief to develop its work. The IAG meets four times a year and has a core membership of about twenty individuals representing a wide-range of voluntary and statutory agencies in Calderdale.

As a result of an initiative by Calderdale Voluntary Action, the IAG changed its remit to include work with LGB people of all ages and a Lesbian and Gay Health Task Group was set up with the purpose of developing a Lesbian and Gay Health Action Plan. GALYIC acquired funding from the Calderdale & Kirklees Health Authority Community Chest to further this work.

GALYIC members have attended the West Yorkshire Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Police Liaison Initiative when it has met in Halifax. The West Yorkshire LGBT Police Liaison Initiative supported the publication of a booklet aimed at those who work with young people in Calderdale: "Supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale" and three members of West Yorkshire Police (none from Calderdale) have attended a Homophobia from a Multi-Oppression Perspective module run at Horton House in Halifax; two members of Halifax Police have attended meetings of the Inter Agency Group.

MSM and CKHAL (Calderdale and Kirklees HIV/AIDS Link) held discussions with Calderdale Police and Calderdale Community Safety Partnership about homophobic hate crime in Calderdale. MSM conducted a survey with LGB people but only one questionnaire (distributed with copies of the Pink Paper throughout venues in Calderdale and Kirklees) was returned completed. Alongside this survey, a meeting was organised for LGB people to meet the liaison officers from Halifax Police and Calderdale Community Safety Partnership. Only one member of the public attended this meeting and he was a member of GALYIC.

The GALYIC worker gave a presentation at the meeting, as did Halifax Police and the Calderdale Community Safety Partnership. It was discovered that there was limited funding available to help communities develop work around safety issues. Two initiatives emanated from this meeting: 1) CKHAL/MSM set up a third-party reporting system and 2) GALYIC applied for £10,000 to Calderdale Community Safety Partnership to set up a Homophobic Hate Crime Task Group and employ a researcher to conduct a survey into the levels of homophobic hate crime in Calderdale. The following application was submitted:

There has been substantial research in different parts of Britain which persistently come up with statistics suggesting that homophobic crime is rife in Britain; the Soho bombings in 2000 bear witness to the horrendous results of this type of crime. There is no reason to believe that Calderdale is immune. Indeed, the results of the ACTION for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth in Calderdale research substantiates this, as do the personal testimonies of several older lesbian, gay and bisexual citizens of Calderdale.

The Home Office (Home Office Guidance on Statutory Crime and Disorder Partnerships: Crime and Disorder Act 1998) clearly recommends that local authorities and police areas pay particular attention to hard-to-reach social groups, including the gay and lesbian community:

"It is absolutely central to the success of the partnerships that they should be seen as credible and inclusive by all sections of the community. It is likely that the Home Secretary will use ... [the] powers [in the] Crime and Disorder Act to require the police and local authorities to invite the full participation of gay and lesbian groups in the work of the new partnerships. This should do much to ensure that issues of concern to these groups are not overlooked when the audit is conducted and the strategy developed. Seeking the involvement of the gay and lesbian community must be an active process not a passive one. This community is not always visible, and may for historical reasons not find it easy to engage in a dialogue with some of the groups involved in the partnerships; it will not be enough just to write to the local pressure group inviting it to send a representative to a meeting and then thinking that your obligation to this sector of the community is discharged. You must develop creative and flexible ways to break down any barriers which may exist locally, and to encourage full and active engagement in the work by local gay and lesbian people."

The aim of the project is to help towards the development of a Crime & Disorder Reduction Strategy with regard to Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual communities in Calderdale.

This aim will be achieved by the following objectives.

• work with lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) groups and individuals in Calderdale
• identify the issues of importance to LGB people regarding community safety
• identify possible positive developments/solutions to problems
• communicate these effectively to appropriate bodies and LGB communities
• enable LGB people to choose how to become involved (if they wish to do so) with other agencies such as Calderdale Community Safety Partnership, Victim Support, and the police
• work with other organisations to further community safety within the LGB communities in Calderdale.

• Acquisition of funding.
• Establishment of Task Group to be made up of LGB people and representatives of appropriate agencies.
• Agree terms of reference; lead person, etc.
• Agree action plan.
• Network with appropriate organisations, e.g. West Yorkshire Police, Victim Support, Kirklees Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Community Safety Worker, other regional and national agencies, Calderdale Community Safety Partnership, etc, to find out what support is currently available and co-opt as appropriate.
• Draw up job description for worker.
• Advertise for worker.
• Appoint worker.
• Supervisor for worker.
• Agree questionnaire (adapt Kirklees one).
• Arrange for questionnaire to be printed (West Yorkshire Police).
• Literature review of homophobic hate crime and intervention strategies both UK and abroad (researcher).
• Agree how collect quantitative data (all task group).
• Agree how collect qualitative data (researcher).
• Collect data (task group and researcher).
• Transcribe data to computer (researcher).
• Analyse findings (researcher).
• Disseminate findings: one day seminar (task group and researcher – to present findings and discuss way forward.
• Produce a Final Report on the Project with recommendations for the Calderdale Crime & Disorder Reduction Strategy to include evaluation of project (researcher).
• Get report printed (task group - West Yorkshire Police)
• Distribute report (task group)
• Agree next steps: developing appropriate services; feeding into policy/strategies; developing acceptable ways of monitoring homophobic hate crimes.

Evaluation will include:

• Meeting aim and objectives
• Completion of tasks
• Production of Final Report
• Performance Indicators i.e.
• number of LGB people/agencies involved in process (task group)
• number of LGB's interviewed
• number of completed questionnaires
• number of people attending seminar
• number of people/agencies receiving report

Several members of GALYIC were attacked by a group of youths chanting homophobic phrases. One of these young men wrote three poems as a way of dealing with the pain the attack caused. These can be seen in the preface.

Herek and Berrill (1992) provide an overview of homophobic hate crime across the U.S. from 1984 (when the first national study focusing exclusively on anti-gay violence was conducted) to 1991.

In the studies reviewed, gender differences in rates of victimization are evident. Gay males experiencing higher levels of verbal harassment (by none family members), threats, victimization in school and by police, and most types of physical violence and intimidation (including weapon assaults). Lesbians generally experience higher rates of verbal harassment by family members and reported greater fear of anti-gay violence.

Both gay men and lesbians appear to suffer comparable rates of familial abuse. Lesbians were also found to have encountered significantly more discrimination than gay men.

Suggestions for these gender differences were given, i.e., men in the U.S. are more likely than women to suffer violent crimes (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1989). Gay men have more opportunities to go to public gay-identified contexts than do lesbians, simply because there are more bars, businesses, and other organisations for gay men.

We can gain a picture of the perpetrators using anecdotal information, surveys of victims, and reports by victims to gay community-based victim assistance organizations such as CUAV (San Francisco):

"The general profile of a "gay-basher" that emerges from CUAV data is a young male, often acting together with other white males, all of whom are strangers to the victim(s)."

CUAV (Community United Against Violence) San Francisco.

Multi-oppression appears in Herek and Berrill. Studies which include racial and ethical differences in rates of victimisation found lesbians and gay men of colour to be at increased risk for violent attack because of their sexual orientation. One particular study Comstock found that lesbians and gay men of colour (n=68) were more likely than White respondents (n=223) to report having been chased or followed (43% vs. 29%), pelted with objects (31% vs. 17%), or physically assaulted (21% vs. 18%).

The information here is only a small section from Herek and Berrill, other subjects include: violence in the streets, trends in violence and discrimination, notes on cultural heterosexism, ecology of anti-gay violence, conceptualising anti-gay violence, kids who attack gays, and many more. It is enough to say a whole book has been published on homophobic hate crime.

Herek (1998) studied, Stigma and Sexual Orientation. Among his many theories, he states:

Herek has researched bias and hate-motivated attacks on lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) youths from several sources between 1991-95 to find clear evidence of victimisation against LGB’s.

LGB youths appeared to be the victims of childhood physical or sexual abuse more frequently than heterosexual youths, although it is difficult to have a direct comparison between LGB’s youths and youths in general.

Unfortunately even the home is not a safe place for some youths, their families’ religious commitments often put up an instant barrier and youths do experience abuse from relatives. One particular study referenced by Herek found that 61% of the violence youths reported as a reaction to their sexual orientation had happened at home. Similarly youths are experiencing high levels of attacks in the community setting, (several studies referenced).

Herek also looks at attacks in schools and says:

Of the studies referenced gay males experience higher levels of abuse at school than lesbians, around half of gay males compared to around quarter of lesbians experiencing some form of abuse.

The Safe Schools Coalition of Washington (April 1999) conducted eight population-based studies on anti-gay harassment and the safety and well being of sexual minority students.

The surveys provide evidence of the effect of homophobia on young people. For each case there are more than ten controls. That is, for every one LGB student there are more than ten heterosexual students.

This kind of study has not been carried out in the UK; American research is around 20 years ahead of the research here.

The Safe Schools Coalition of Washington is:

Four of the eight studies asked respondents their sexual orientation directly, five of the eight studies asked proximal questions and then used them (alone or in combination with identity) to infer respondents "actual" sexual orientations.

Those who said that they were 'not sure' of their orientation were omitted from the analysis in all studies; the term 'of respondents' will apply to those whose sexual orientation can be identified.

The five studies found:

In Seattle (1995) 4.4% of respondents (7,477) described themselves as LGB and 95.6% as heterosexual.

Sexual minority youth were more likely to report: having been threatened with or injured by a weapon at school in the past 12 months (18.6% of LGB vs. 10.6% of Heterosexual Youth, HY); feeling unsafe or afraid at school some, most or all of the time (20.9% vs. 11.9% HY); having skipped at least one day off school in the past 30 days because they felt unsafe (13.9% vs. 6.1% HY); being unable to think of any adults who really care about them (9.7% vs. 2.9% HY).

Sexual minority youth were also: three times as likely to have vomited or taken laxatives to lose weight in the past 30 days (9.2% vs. 2.8% HY); two times as likely to be a teen parent (6.7% vs. 3.5% HY); half again as likely to engage in heavy or high risk drug use (35.8% vs. 22.5% HY); four times as likely to have made a suicide attempt in the past year that was treated by a doctor or nurse (9.4% vs. 2.2% HY).

In Massachusetts (1997) 4.0% of respondents (3,982) were identified as LGB and 96% as heterosexual.

Sexual minority youth were: 60% more likely than their peers to report having their property stolen or deliberately damaged at school (42.9% vs. 26.8% of non-sexual minority youth); four times as likely to report having skipped whole days off school in the past month, out of fear (18% vs. 4% of HY); five times as likely to have ever used cocaine (33% vs. 7% HY); two times as likely to have been/gotten someone pregnant (24% vs. 12% HY); eleven times as likely to have vomited or taken laxatives to lose weight (32% vs. 3% HY); six times as likely to have made a suicide attempt in the past year that was treated by a doctor or nurse (19% vs. 3% HY).

In Vermont (1997) 5.3% of young men and 3.4% of young women reported having same-gender "sexual activity".

LGB students were more likely to report: having been threatened with or injured by a weapon at school in the past 12 months (29% of students with same-gender experience 10% of students with only opposite-gender experience and 4% of those with no sexual experience); having skipped at least one day of school in the past 30 days because they felt unsafe (18% same-gender experience 6% opposite-gender experience and 2% no sexual experience); having vomited or taken laxatives to lose weight in the past 30 days (22% same-gender experience 8% opposite-gender experience and 4% no sexual experience); having ever injected a drug (27% same-gender experience 6% opposite-gender experience and 1% no sexual experience); having made a suicide attempt that resulted in treatment by a doctor or nurse in the past 12 months (17% same-gender experience 5% opposite-gender experience and 1% no sexual experience).

In Minnesota (1987) 1.1% of respondents (36,254) described themselves as LGB and 98.9% as heterosexual. The study suggests:

Same gender sexual experience was reported by 1% of respondents. Same-gender attraction and anticipated future same-gender experience was reported by 5.1% and same gender fantasy by 2.8% of respondents.

Sexual minority youth were more likely than their peers to report: having been sexually abused (22% LGB vs. 14% HY); having been physically abused (19% LGB vs. 12% HY).

Around one third of sexual minority students reported having engaged in heavy drinking (defined as more than 5 drinks at a time); around one third said they had ever attempted suicide.

Lesbian and bisexual (LB) young women were twice as likely to report having ever been pregnant (12.3% LB vs. 6.1% heterosexual girls).

American Indian youth (1991) attending reservation schools nationally were asked about their abuse histories. 2.7% of respondents (2,962) described themselves as LGB and 97.3% as heterosexual.

Sexual minority youth were more likely than their peers to report: having been sexually abused (30.1% LGB vs. 17.3% HY); having been physically abused (39.1% LGB vs. 21.6% HY); having run away from home in the past 12 months (27.6% LGB vs. 17.4% HY).

The Safe Schools Coalition has received awards for their work from:

The on-going work and support is widespread. Guides are provided for handling, preventing, intervening and surviving anti-gay harassment for administrators, educators, students and families.

The five recommendations from the organisations are as follows:

Their web site offers a very concise resource page, including agencies and organizations for crisis support, education, training, and resources around LGB and transgender (LGBT) Issues.

The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) was founded in 1980 in reaction to neighbourhood incidents of anti-gay violence and the failure of the criminal justice system to respond.

The project’s staff and volunteers assist survivors of hate-motivated violence (including HIV-motivated violence), domestic violence, and sexual assault, by providing therapeutic counselling and advocacy within the criminal justice system and victim support agencies, information for self-help, referrals to practicing professionals, and other sources of assistance

New York’s AVP operates a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year hotline, which is staffed by trained volunteers and AVP’s professionally trained staff. It also provides training for the police, and other law enforcement officials, staff at rape crisis centres, domestic violence agencies, and other service providers.

CUAV (Community United Against Violence) in San Francisco is a 20-year-old non-profit agency, which addresses and prevents hate violence directed at LGBT’s.

Homophobic incidents reported in January 1996, (76% males and 26% females) show: 40% of attacks were verbal harassment; 50% physical assault; 35% threats; 15% robbery; 10% hate literature; 15% vandalism; 5% police abuse; 5% phone harassment; and 5% housing discrimination.

Of the crimes committed: 85% did not involve a weapon; 15% involved the use of a club; 5% a vehicle; and 10% other objects.

CUAV estimate: for each reported incident at least two other incidents go unreported.

CUAV offer, free of charge: crisis intervention, short term counselling, advocacy with the criminal justice system, support groups, and a 24 hour multilingual support line. As well as publicizing anti-lesbian/gay violence.

CUAV also offer speakers for schools and community groups and safety monitoring for community events. They routinely distribute safety information and provide whistles and self-defence classes as preventative measures.

The National Centre For Victims Of Crime in Washington provide statistics from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 2000.

In 1999 there was a total of 1,960 separate incidents against the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender population. These incidents impacted 2,234 persons, and included 3,410 distinct crimes. Of the total incidents: 765 were reported to law enforcement; the law enforcement refused to take a report in 10 % of cases; took the report but made no arrest in 73 % of cases; and made arrests in 17 % of cases.

Over four-fifths of the perpetrators were male, and two-thirds were under the age of 30. More than half of the total number of incidents recorded for 1999 involved a stranger perpetrator.

Lesbian and Gay AVP New South Wales (AVPNSW) are running their third Anti-Homophobia Campaign. AVPNSW is a group of several organisations that work together across NSW Australia.

The first award winning, "Homophobia, Youth Violence Prevention Campaign" began in 1996 at the Hard Rock Café in Sydney launched by the NSW Attorney General, Mr. Jeff Shaw.

The second, "Homophobia, What Are You Scared Of Campaign" in 1998 grew with over 3000 high schools, youth centres, trade unions and tertiary institutes receiving campaign messages. This aimed at providing young people with the tools to start discussing their beliefs and attitudes towards homophobic violence.

The third, "Homophobia Campaign 2000" was aimed at reinforcing the commitment of the previous campaigns by introducing "Community United Against Violence Campaign". A great emphasis was placed on recognising the whole community needs to take responsibility for the involvement of young people in homophobic violence.

The philosophy around the next campaign is centred in youth culture and youth empowerment, and is about reducing the involvement of young people in homophobic violence by creating social and educational environments which allow young people to make a choice NOT to participate in violence.

Lambda LGBT Community Services provide a national AVP and hate crime hotline. Lambda is a long-time member of NCAVP (National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs). 

NCAVP is a coalition of more than twenty individual programs across the United States, which document and advocate for victims of anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV-positive (LGBTH) incidents.

Lambda report: teenagers are targeted frequently in anti-homosexual incidents. Sometimes friends, strangers, and most tragically parents and relatives victimize gay teens. Young gay & bisexual teens that are not loved, acknowledged, and supported are at increased risk for suicide, drug & alcohol problems, and homelessness. Even those that are accepted and loved can still face a difficult time growing up queer. 

In addition to anti-LGBTH incidents, domestic violence is also a serious problem in the queer communities. Gay & bisexual domestic violence occurs in probably the same proportions and causes similar problems as in the straight community. Lambda is the only service agency in the region to specifically address same-gender domestic violence. 

The agency aim to create social change and achieve full civil rights, dignity, and self-respect for LGBT’s. AVP follows many active roles, including: crime prevention and education, a 24-hour bilingual (English-Spanish) hotline, peer-to-peer support groups, and accompaniment to and advocacy with police, the courts, and other service providers. All these services are free and confidential.

Lambda fully recognises the under-reporting of incidents and their research found the main reason for this is that victims fear the police will not take their reports seriously.

Lambda strives to encourage people to report crimes and state: careful documentation and statistics are very important tools in fighting such oppression and bigotry.

GALOP (1991) conducted a survey at lesbian and gay pride and found 41% of gay men experienced physical assault.

GALOP (1992) again conducted a survey at lesbian and gay pride and found: 40% of gay men and 25% of lesbian’s experienced physical assault; 80% of men and 72% of women experienced verbal abuse; 23% of men and 30% of women had reported incidents to the police, of these: 35% found police indifferent; 16% found them incompetent; and 22% experienced harassment whilst reporting the incident.

Richardson (1994) reported there were 155 murders of gay men and 3 murders of lesbians between 1986-94. Overall unsolved murder rate is 10% per year but 22% of gay murders remained unsolved. Two-thirds of gay murders occur in the victim's home; 3% in cottages, 10% on the street, and 10% in cruising areas.

Fahey (1995) surveyed 105 gay men and lesbians in higher education settings. 39% of respondents experienced verbal abuse and 4% experienced physical assault.

Snape et al (1995) sampled 116 people who identified as homosexual and 619 who identified as heterosexual from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes carried out in 1990-92 among 18,876 people then aged 16-59.

These people were interviewed during the latter part of 1993 and early 1994. In-depth interviews were undertaken in early 1994 among a sample of 40 people who defined themselves as homosexual in their responses to the quantitative survey.

The study defined: 43% of homosexuals had insults shouted in a public place; 25% had been physically threatened or attacked; 21% had been harassed at work.

65% think physical attacks on gays, lesbians and bisexuals is a ‘very serious problem’ and 27% think it’s a ‘serious problem’; 43% think verbal abuse is a ‘very serious problem’ and 32% think it’s a ‘serious problem’.

Responses from heterosexuals in the study showed prejudice against homosexuals. When asked whether worse treatment is wrong against black people, women, disabled people and gays or lesbians. Heterosexuals replied ‘Always wrong’ : 84%; 82%; 82% and 62% respectively.

23% of heterosexuals state verbal abuse against homosexuals is a ‘very serious’ problem; 46% state physical violence is a ‘very serious’ problem; 24% of heterosexuals agreed that gays and lesbians should be banned from working with children; 9% agreed that all homosexuals are perverted.

The research provided clear evidence of the extent and effects of discrimination against gay men and lesbians. Methods for alleviating discrimination fell into three distinct approaches.

Mason and Palmer (Stonewall, 1996) conducted a national survey of 4000 LGB’s about their experiences of homophobic violence, harassment and verbal abuse.

In the previous 5 years: 34% of men and 24% of women had experienced homophobic violence; 32% had been harassed; 12% had been threatened; 6% had experienced vandalism and 4% had received hate mail.

Perpetrators of the hate crime showed: 19% had been harassed by people unknown to them; 8% by colleagues and 6% by neighbours. 37% reported incidents to the police

Response from those under 18 years of age can be seen in section 2.5

Kelly Alexander (GALOP, 1996) researched the needs of LGB’s under 25 years of age by conducting surveys across London. The study defined: 26% lesbians, 5% bisexual women, 58% gay men, 10% bisexual men and 1% undefined.

54% of respondents had experienced repeated verbal abuse; an additional 29% had suffered isolated verbal abuse, (83% responded).

9% of respondents had experienced repeated physical attacks; 13% isolated attacks; 8% experienced repeated intimidation; 9% isolated intimidation; and 8% experienced intimidation and attack, (47% responded).

9% of respondents had experienced repeated harassment; 10% isolated harassment; 3% experienced repeated property damage/theft; 5% isolated property damage/theft; and 4% experienced both harassment and property damage/theft, (31% responded).

14% of respondents had been indecently assaulted or attacked; 19% had been intimidated, (being groped or flashed at); and 8% had experienced both intimidation and sexual attack, (41% responded).

Alexander includes recommendations for the following:

Legislation, Police practice, Education, Statutory agency service provision, community organisations and GALOP service provision. Details within each of these are vast and cannot be included in this report.

GALOP runs a telephone help line, "Shoutline" offering assistance to LGB’s in dealing with homophobic violence and the police.

Smith (1997) in early 1990s gay men were murdered at a rate of one every fortnight.

Hickson et al (1997) through National Gay Men’s Sex Survey found; 37% (of 581 gay men) had experienced hate crime in the last five years of these 50% had been assaulted or attacked. The study also found young men were more likely to experience hate crime than older men.

Project SIGMA, a study involving 387 gay men showed 68% experienced verbal abuse, 24% physical assault, (three had been knifed). All but one of these assaults involved male assailants (often multiple assailants) and most assaults were perpetuated by strangers.

Brighton Lesbian & Gay Switchboard (BLGS, 1990-91) conducted randomly sampled interviews with lesbians and gay men on the scene in Brighton. The study defined:

1990 1991

Verbally abused in the past year 52% 58%

Suffered homophobic violence in past year 21% 26%

Would not report homophobic violence to police 52% 49%

Afraid of experiencing homophobic violence in certain public places 50% 75%

Believe incidence of homophobic violence has increased in past year. 58% 82%

BLGS (1998) conducted a survey of 195 lesbians and gay men (63% men, 37% women) at Brighton Pride 1996. 46% of respondents lived in Brighton and Hove.

The study defined: 64% of lesbians experienced homophobic abuse; 9% experienced homophobic violence; 57% of gay men experienced homophobic abuse; and 14% experienced homophobic violence.

In response to perceptions of homophobia: 23% of lesbians and 25% of gay men avoided going to certain places; 9% of lesbians and 16% of gay men avoided going out at night; 16% of lesbians and 19% of gay men avoided using the scene; 16% of lesbians and 22% of gay men ‘toned down’ their image.

Of those who had been attacked in the previous 12 months: 75% of lesbians and 38% of gay men did not report it to the police; 50% of lesbians and 46% of gay men who did report were not satisfied with the outcome; 23% of lesbians and 16% of gay men felt they were treated differently because of their sexual orientation.

Diversity Alliance, Brighton and Hove (1998) formed as a subgroup of Lesbian & Gay Community Safety Forum (LGCSF) to specifically address harassment, violence and abuse against lesbian and gay young people in schools and other young peoples settings.

The LGCSF was established in 1997 to address community safety issues for lesbians and gay men in Brighton and Hove (B&H). Initial proposals for a campaign to reduce homophobic bullying against young people were included in the B&H Crime Reduction & Community Safety Strategy. Diversity Alliance as part of LGCSF were charged with the task of taking this forward.

Diversity Alliance conducted a massive campaign (1999) "Homophobia – What Are You Scared Of?" Across B&H.

The aim was to hold an "Anti-Homophobia Awareness Week" in October 1999 centred on a high profile advertising campaign using celebrity advocates to promote anti-homophobia messages to young people in B&H. As well as provide a focus for training and for developing strategies and resources to prevent homophobic crime against young people and support its victims.

Outcomes for the campaign included:

Objectives of the campaign included:

A very successful campaign, evaluated using questionnaires sent out to all people who received copies of the posters/postcards. On the basis of the success, Diversity Alliance planned a similar campaign to run in October 2000. A three-year project, aimed at expanding the campaign over East Sussex (in the first year) and West Sussex (second year) and employing a project co-ordinator.

Lewisham safer cities survey (1992) involved 242 gay men. 81% experienced verbal abuse, 45% physical assault, of these 16% reported incidents to the police. 32% worried ‘about violence’, 55% felt violence against gay men had increased.

London Metropolitan Police (the Met) are actively involved with "Working For A Safer London". In November 1998 the Met launched "Policing Diversity – Protect & Respect". The scheme was launched in two phases. Phase one concentrated on tackling racism. Phase two is aimed at developing issues from phase one into action to benefit everybody. Phase two has an action plan over the next two years, 2001 – 03.

Service has been improved to victims of domestic violence, race crime and homophobic crime through Community Safety Units and relief officers.

DCI Graham Collins, Kensington & Chelsea’s crime manager

The anti-terrorist branch worked closely with the Independent Advisory Group and the LGBT Advisory Group, during the Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho bombings.

Homophobic crime rates are available on the Met web site, for example summaries for July 2000 show 186 homophobic incidents were recorded in the whole of the Met district. Statistics are vast across the district and cannot be included in this report.

The Met also distributed a free five minute phone card and leaflet across the district, (2001) "Help Stop Crime – It’s Your Call". The leaflet encourages people to report hate crimes, (specifying homophobic crime) and domestic violence. It lists all Community Safety Units and contact numbers across the district, Racial and Violent Crime Task Force contact number and the Met web site address.

Jackson (FUSION, 2000) carried out a survey on homophobic abuse of gay men and lesbians who live and work in Kensington and Chelsea (K&C). 165 responded, (93% male, 7% female); 65% were between the ages of 25 and 44.

Around 20% of the sample felt it very likely that they would experience homophobic abuse in K&C; Around 12% reported that they thought about the possibility ‘often’ or ‘always’, respondents reported that these thoughts were commonly accompanied with feelings of anger and concern, with fear less frequently experienced; 10% said that worries about abuse affected their everyday life ‘extremely’.

Of those who experienced or witnessed a serious incident, 25% reported the incident to the police and only half of these were happy with the way in which they were treated.

Jackson recommended from the response of the questionnaire that a lesbian or gay officer would encourage reporting rates and sending ‘self reporting forms’ to a specialist hate crime unit.

London Metropolitan Police have taken issues on board from the FUSION research.

OXAIDS (1997) conducted a survey with 221 lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Oxford. 31% had been subject to homophobic abuse, harassment and / or violence, 23% of incidents occurred on the streets. 17% reported incidents to police, 20% felt relations between police and local LGB’s were poor or very bad, 47% said they would not be happy contacting police about an incident and 67% said they would have felt happier reporting the incident to an LGB organisation.

Greater Manchester Lesbian and Gay Policing Initiative (1998) collected information over two hours at Manchester’s Mardi Gras ‘women only’ space in the form of a questionnaire.

Of 146 respondents the study defined: 86% lesbians had experienced violence and/or harassment; 38% verbal abuse; 20% harassment; 14% sexual assault/harassment; and 14% violent attacks. The total number of incidents recorded came to 222.

The perpetrators of this crime (if the respondent knew who the person was) were: 36% neighbour; 24% work colleague; 19% family member; 14% ex-partner (included male and female); 5% partner; and 3% friend.

Just over half (52%) of the respondents thought the motive for the harassment/violence was because of their sexual orientation; 41% because of gender; 5% because of race; and 2% mentioned disability as being a factor.

Almost half (45%) of the harassment/violence took place in the street. Only 6% of these cases were reported to the police.

Visibility of respondents:

The report included fourteen recommendations for the Greater Manchester community to tackle the problem of homophobic hate crime, mainly for Greater Manchester Police to take on board the issues raised and to link them into action being developed for the crime and disorder strategy.

Greater Manchester Police have an ‘Incident Self Reporting Form’. The form is freepost and asks details of the incident that the person wants to report, there is an optional section for the person to leave their name and contact details.

Mullen (1999) and Berkshire Anti-Homophobia Group (BAHG) conducted a study across Reading in partnership with ReachOut (Reading’s Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth Group). 314 responded (63% male, 36% female and 1% transsexual).

85% of respondents lived in Berkshire, 59% in Reading, and the remaining 15% were people who travelled from other areas to access both the ‘scene’ and community organisations.

204 (65%) respondents experienced verbal abuse, (130 men 73 women, 1 transsexual); 56% because of their sexual orientation; 12% of verbal abuse cases were reported to the police.

96 (31%) respondents had been physically abused, (64 men, 30 women, 2 transsexuals); 21% because of their sexual orientation; 28% of cases reported to the police.

73 (23%) respondents had been harassed (46 men, 25 women, 2 transsexuals); 16% because of their sexual orientation; 25% of cases reported to the police.

82 (26%) respondents had been sexually abused, (43 men, 39 women); 7% by a family member, 7% by a friend, 3% by a gang member, 4% by a partner, and 13% by a stranger; 21% of sexual abuse cases reported to the police.

The aim of the BAHG is to work towards making local communities in Berkshire safer LGBT’s. Results of the study closely reflected those found in other British studies researched by Mullen between 1980-97.

Mullen clearly recognised the seriousness of homophobia and homophobic crime from the results of this survey and provided several recommendations for the Berkshire community:

John, S. and Patrick (1999) conducted a survey and 21 in-depth interviews across lesbians and gay men in Glasgow. 137 responded, (47 % gay males, 43% lesbians, 7% bisexual, 3% other).

The following incidents had been experienced because someone knew or presumed respondents to be gay or lesbian: 85% had verbal insults directed to them; 60% had been threatened with physical violence; 44% stated they had been chased or followed; 37% stated they had been sexually harassed; 26% had been harassed by the police (without assault); and 16% had been raped.

93% of respondents said they knew one or more lesbian or gay man who had been verbally harassed, threatened with violence, or physically attacked because they were assumed to be either lesbian or gay.

John S. from Glasgow Women’s Library responded to a recent email with the following comments:

Sal Hampson (1998) conducted a survey with lesbians living in West Yorkshire. Of the 118 respondents the study defined: 69% experienced verbal threats/abuse; 76% stated sexual orientation as motivation; 11.8% reported the incidents to the police.

32% experienced threatening/abusive/obscene phone calls; 46% stated sexual orientation as motivation and 24% reported incidents to the police.

32% experienced sexual harassment; 47% stated sexual orientation as motivation; 3% reported incidents to the police.

24% experienced physical assault in a public place; 44% stated sexual orientation as motivation; 28% reported incidents to the police.

9% had been raped; 33% stated sexual orientation as motivation; 11% reported the incident to the police.

15% experienced graffiti/damage to their home; 67% stated sexual orientation as motivation; 45% reported incidents to the police.

Recommendations from Hampson are directed towards the Police in West Yorkshire. Initially, they need to display a genuine concern with crimes committed against lesbians to convince lesbians that they will be taken seriously. They also need to make public the action that they are able to take following homophobic incidents in order to facilitate realistic expectations of police response.

Bridget (1999) conducted fifteen in-depth interviews with young people in Calderdale (7 lesbians and 8 gay men). Amongst the many findings the study defined:

Physical and Verbal Harassment

60% of the participants had experienced harassment due to their sexual orientation. These included name-calling, bullying and physical abuse:

Same-Sex Domestic Violence

One-third of the participants experienced abuse within same-sex relationships:

Physical/Sexual Abuse/Rape

26% had been beaten whilst growing up; 20% had been sexually abused whilst growing up; and 26% had been raped

Three of the participants had experienced sexual abuse whilst growing up (two female, one male) and four had been raped (two female, two male). Some explained what happened:

Peter Brown (2000) conducted a survey of LGB’s across Kirklees. 71 responded, 65% male and 35% female. 79% of respondents were ‘out’ as a lesbian, gay or bisexual to either all or most people.

66% of the respondents had experienced at least one homophobic incident, (72% of female vs. 63% of male respondents); 60% of female respondents had experienced more than one homophobic incident compared to 43% of men; 24% of female respondents had experienced more than five homophobic incident compared to 7% of men.

44% of women and 20% of men reported that the last homophobic incident they had experienced was name-calling/verbal abuse; 16% of women and 2% of men reported that the last homophobic incident they had experienced was damage to property; 4% of women and 17% of men reported that the last homophobic incident they had experienced was physical assault.

Results from this survey closely reflect the national picture around homophobic hate crime. Brown states:

Conclusions and recommendations imply the need for more research, and also:

Multi-oppression was identified as a key factor in the isolation of LGB’s. The survey did not reach people from ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, transgendered people, teenagers or older people. It is vital to take this into account when looking at service provision.

West Yorkshire Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Policing Initiative was established in November 1997. The initiative meets on a monthly basis at alternative venues around West Yorkshire and also holds a general meeting each year.

The initiative aims to provide better services for the LGBT community: equality, trained officers and a safe environment. The Project works alongside Yorkshire MESMAC sexual health project, MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) project, Victim Support and STAR (Surviving Trauma After Rape).

From 1^st April 1999 all divisions of West Yorkshire police adopted a system of recording and investigating homophobic incidents. The recording procedure is identical to the recording of racist incidents and was to be supported by the PACT campaign, (Positive ACTion against hate crime), which seeks to:

Trenchard and Warren and London Lesbian and Gay Teenage Group conducted a survey (1984) of 416 young lesbians and gays, the study defined: 45% of respondents had problems at school because of sexual orientation; 58% had experienced verbal abuse; and 21% had experienced physical assault.

Mason and Palmer (Stonewall, 1996) national survey, of those under 18 years of age: 48% of respondents experienced violence; 61% harassed and 90% had been called names because of their sexuality.

24% had been attacked by fellow students; 44% harassed by fellow students; and 79% called names by fellow students.

50% of the violent attacks had involved fellow students and 40% taken place in school; parents and families of these people were responsible for 5% of assaults; 14% of harassment; and 19% of verbal abuse.

A lower percentage of under 18 year olds reported incidents to the police (than those over 18, section 2.2) because of the age of consent and fear of prosecution.

Douglas et al (1997) conducted a survey of 307 secondary schools in England and Wales. The study defined: 82% of teachers were aware of homophobic verbal bullying; 26% were aware of homophobic physical bullying in their schools; 99% had bullying policies; 9% made reference to lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils; 50% of schools reported difficulty addressing the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils because of section 28.

The Institute of Education states:

GALOP’s survey (1998) of London youth based on 202 surveys found: 33% suffered verbal abuse in school; 35% suffered physical abuse; 34% were harassed and 7% suffered sexual abuse. Of those at college 3% suffered verbal abuse and 2% were harassed.

Rivers (1998) surveyed 140 lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. 82% experienced name-calling at school, 71% experienced ridicule, 60% had been hit or kicked, 48% experienced theft, 52% had been frightened by a look or stare and 40% had attempted suicide.

Duncan (Stonewall, 1999) carried out observations and interviews with boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 16 at five large comprehensive co-education schools. The research showed that bullying, especially of boys, is widespread in schools. 16-year-old boys who were interviewed said:

The report suggests that teachers do not have the skills to deal with sexual bullying, particularly in relation to sexual orientation:

Action from Stonewall on homophobic bullying:

Bridget (1999) conducted fifteen in-depth interviews with young people in Calderdale (7 lesbians and 8 gay men).

Amongst the many findings the study defined: 67% had experienced verbal abuse at school because of their sexual orientation:

All of the participants overheard name-calling:

Recommendations for schools included:

As an interim measure, all school nurses to be circulated with a relevant article on issues facing LGB young people.

Recommendations for Youth Services included:

Both of the recommendations for the youth service have now been established, GALYIC (Gay and Lesbian Youth In Calderdale) provides a support group for LGB’s under the age of 25, which meets on a weekly basis and also provides a telephone Helpline. Calderdale Health Promotion Centre circulated an article to all school nurses and GPs in Calderdale.

The NUT (National Union of Teachers) held the first conference on homophobic bullying in London April 2001. A conference aimed at combating homophobic bullying in schools.

NUT has produced a booklet "An Issue for Ever Teacher – NUT Guidance on Lesbian and Gay Equality In Education". The booklet provides an overview of LGB’s in education, homophobia, the law and advice.

The NUT’s work includes:

School’s Out! National is an organisation, which works for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transperson equality in education. Their aims are:

CHRYSALIS The Awareness Team (Sanders, Patrick & Talbot) – Work for the rights and perspectives of lesbians, gay men and bisexual people, everywhere and especially in education.

School’s Out! Held a national conference in May 2001 to address homophobia in schools, with the support of CHRYSALIS.

Together they have produced "Legislation and DfEE Guidance on Tackling Homophobia in Schools" and a teachers pack "Tackling Homophobia Creating Safer Spaces" (both available on the School’s Out! web site).

JAAHB (Joint Action Against Homophobic Bullying) gives advice on addressing homophobic bullying. Set up in 1999 and has its own website

DFES (Department For Education and Skills) reissued its Anti-bullying pack "Don’t suffer in silence" in December 2000 to include a statement on sexual bullying and how it can be related to sexual orientation.

The pack includes a video for teachers to use in classrooms, although the video does not cover homophobic bullying.

GLEE Project – a network of education initiatives to combat homophobia and heterosexism. The project is an interactive network of teacher training, curriculum development and research initiatives to combat homophobia and heterosexism. Funded by the European Commission as part of the Socrates Comenius Programme for school education.

In line with the Amsterdam Treaty (Article 13 EC, see glossary) the project demonstrates the European Union’s commitment to combating all forms of discrimination.

The project provides a leadership training course for primary and secondary school teachers across Europe, which aims to:

NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers) states it is fully committed to pursuing fair and equitable conditions of service for LGBT teachers, and also committed to campaigning for the illumination of homophobic bullying in schools and society.

NASUWT produced a booklet "Education & Equal Opportunities Tackling homophobic bullying - Policy, Advice, Support"

The booklet includes an introduction to homophobia, advice on creating a positive culture in schools, responsibilities of the employer, strategies and remedies and support for members.

Shidlo (1994) discusses internalised homophobia and its effects. He suggests that it is so widespread that many writers consider it as a normative developmental event during which almost all lesbians and gay men adopt negative attitudes towards homosexuality in their early developmental history (Forstein, 1988; Gonsiorek, 1988; Loulan, 1984; Malyon, 1982; Pharr, 1987; Sophie, 1988).

Malyon (1982) suggests that negative attitudes are incorporated into one's self-image causing fragmentation of sexual and affectional facets which interfere with the developmental process. Various models of lesbian and gay identity development consider the process of coming out as including neutralisation of internalised homophobia with the consequent adoption of a positive and integrated lesbian or gay identity (Cass, 1979; Stein Cohen, 1984; Troiden, 1979).

Shidlo (1994) notes that due to lack of research it is not known, a) what percentage of lesbian and gay teens hold internalised homophobia, b) how prevalence rates change through the years as teens enter adulthood, c) how consistent levels of internalised homophobia are throughout adulthood in any given individual, d) what gender and ethnic differences might exist (and class, rural v urban), and e) what generational differences might exist as a result of the dramatic cultural and social changes that have occurred in the post-Stonewall era of the gay community (likewise in Britain in the post-section 28 era). Shidlo adds other factors such as the level of homophobia held by parental figures and significant others (Nungesser, 1983) as well as personalogical variables such as special vulnerabilities, needs and defensive strategies of each individual (Malyon, 1982). (These would include, for example, use of alcohol/drugs which would stop the user developing a positive lesbian/gay identity).

Malyon (1982) hypothesised that internalised homophobia causes depression, influences identity formation, self-esteem, the elaboration of defenses, patterns of cognition, psychological integrity, object relations, and superego functioning. Pathogenic effects of internalised homophobia (usually temporary) are viewed as suppression of homosexual feelings, an elaboration of a heterosexual persona and an interruption of the process of identity formation.

Shidlo (1994) identifies other effects of internalised homophobia: distrust and loneliness (Finnegan & Cook, 1984), difficulties in intimate/affectional relationships (Friedman, 1991; George & Behrendt, 1988), under- and over-achievement (Gonsiorek, 1988; Pharr, 1988), impaired sexual functioning (Brown, 1986; Reece, 1988), unsafe sex (Shidlo, 1992), domestic violence (Pharr, 1988), avoidant coping with AIDS in HIV seropositive gay men (Nicholson & Long, 1990), alcoholism (Finnegan & Cook, 1984), substance abuse (Glause, 1988), eating disorders (Brown, 1987), fragmentation and borderline-like features (Gonsiorek, 1982; Malyon, 1982), and suicide (Rofes, 1983).

Internalised homophobia can have a tremendous impact on self-esteem and cause significant psychological distress. Gonsiorek and Rudolph (1991) describe disturbances ranging from mild self-doubt when confronted with prejudice to over self-hatred and self destructive behaviour (Hancock, 2000).

Shidlo (1994) emphases that as internalised homophobia may be an important determinant of psychopathological conditions in lesbians and gay men, psychotherapy with this population should routinely include the assessment and treatment of internalised homophobia (Gonsiorek, 1982; Malyon, 1982; Stein & Cohn, 1984).

There is also unconscious as well as conscious internalised homophobia (Brown, 1986; Friedman, 1991; Gonsiorek, 1988; Loulan, 1984; Malyon, 1982; Margolies, Becker & Jackson-Brewer, 1987). Indeed, Margolies et al (1987) list a series of defence mechanisms that include: rationalisation, denial, projection and identification with the aggressor. Other unconscious features include internalisation of distorted images of lesbian sexuality as deviant or as overidealised (Brown, 1986; Loulan, 1984); tolerance of discriminatory or abusive treatment from others; sabotaging of career goals by blaming external bigotry (Gonsiorek, 1988); a sensed lack of entitlement to give and receive love; irrational efforts to undermine intimate relationships; and the projection of the devalued self-image to one's partner (Friedman, 1991).

Discussing the need for psychotherapists to assess internalised homophobia, Hancock (2000) suggests manifestations range from the obvious such as total denial of one’s homosexual or bisexual orientation, contempt for more obvious LGB people, acting upon same-sex feelings but not taking responsibility for them, compartmentalisation of homoerotic feelings, fear and withdrawal from relatives and friends and suicide attempts to less obvious behaviours such as minimising contact with LGB people, efforts to try and ‘pass’ or not be mistaken for an LGB person in manner or appearance.

Other agencies were identified and invited to send a representative: Helen Avison, Calderdale Victim Support; Peter Brown, Kirklees Victim Support; Ann Kendal, Youth Offending Team (Ann also reported back to the Domestic Violence project); Rachel Pickering and Imtias Ahmed, Calderdale Community Safety Partnership; Inspector Martin Sykes, Calderdale Police; Frankie Froggat, West Yorkshire Police. Each agency has attended at least one meeting and described their work to the Task Group. They all receive copies of the minutes, as does P.C. Peter Stone, Community Liaison Officer and Steve Mason (chairperson) West Yorkshire LGBT Police Liaison Initiative.

Terms of reference for the Task Group and an Action Plan were agreed at the first meeting. The lead person was Jan Bridget. The Task Group agreed a job description for the researcher and appointed Paula Atherill. Paula was a volunteer at GALYIC; she is a PhD student (about to qualify) with relevant research experience. Paula attended all of the Task Group meetings. Jan Bridget, who has previous experience of conducting research into LGB issues, supervised her.

The Task Group adapted a questionnaire designed by Peter Brown for his survey in Kirklees. As well as demographical information, the questionnaire included sections on: General experience of crime; experience of homophobic hate crime; reporting homophobic hate crimes/incidents to the police; changing behaviour; domestic violence; support. A list of local and national support agencies was attached to the questionnaire for participants to tear off and keep. Participants were invited to attend Calderdale Lesbian and Gay Pride where the findings were to be shared.

The questionnaire was aimed at people who lived, worked or played in Calderdale and who identified as LGB, or are in (or have been in) a same-sex relationship, or sometimes enjoy sexual activity with members of the same sex, or have been the victim of homophobic hate crime because someone presumed or knew them to be LGB.

Calderdale Probation Service produced 250 photocopies of the questionnaire. The Task Group distributed the questionnaire, together with a stamped, addressed envelope, via relevant local venues, organisations and personal networks. All two hundred and fifty questionnaires were distributed this way. Information about the survey was also published in the regional LGB magazine, Shout and a local lesbian newsletter. A one-month deadline was set for return of questionnaires.

Originally it was intended to conduct five interviews. However, because of the success of the quantitative survey, which included many comments and an extensive letter received from a transperson, the Task Group decided that two interviews would be sufficient, one female, one male. Interviews were conducted by the researcher, tape-recorded and transcribed onto computer.

A search was carried out on the internet by the researcher and relevant documents from the Lesbian Information Service library were utilised to produce a literature review. This included international, national, regional and local research data and projects.

Completed questionnaires were collected from the GALYIC P.O. Box and the researcher transferred the data onto computer.

Analysis of the quantitative data was conducted using the statistical package: SPSS. Findings have been presented using a series of bar charts, percentages and summary statistics.

The discussion section was jointly produced by Paula Atherill and Jan Bridget.

The Task Group liaised with the Lesbian and Gay Health Action Group who organised the first ever Calderdale Pride in the Square Chapel, Halifax. The findings of the survey were shared with participants in the Homophobic Hate Crime Workshop who were also invited to join the Task Group. A press release was sent out to local and LGB media.

A seminar will be held at Halifax Town Hall on Tuesday, 11^th December 2001. This is directed at relevant agencies in Calderdale.

Twenty copies of the extensive final report will be distributed to the main, relevant, agencies; a copy will be lodged with Halifax Central Library. The Report will also be available via the Lesbian Information Service web site: www.lesbianinformationservice.org. Copies of the Executive Summary and Recommendations will be distributed more widely.

The project will be evaluated by the Task Group and a report sent to the funders.

The questionnaire response was very encouraging. During approximately one month (June 2001) 49 LGB’s completed a questionnaire, 86% of whom were living in Calderdale.

Two interviews were conducted, with a 53 year old woman who had experienced many repeated attacks, and with a 20 year old man who had recently experienced physical assault as well as repeated verbal abuse on previous occasions, mainly at school. These will be referred to as interview 1 and interview 2.

These interviews provided valuable input into this research. In-depth accounts were given on homophobic incidents, which were experienced. It was evident from the interviews, the kind of effects one or more homophobic attacks can have on the victim, their confidence and future way of life. Repeated abuse can have a long lasting effect on the victim. Several quotes are included from these interviews throughout this chapter. Full accounts of specific incidents have been included in the appendices and will be referred to when relevant.

We also received a letter from a bisexual transsexual. This letter provided an extra viewpoint to this research. The letter was quite in-depth and explained a series of attacks over a long period of time.

This survey examines abuse as a direct result of a person’s sexuality, (or presumed sexuality) rather than as a result of their gender (or gender role). It was difficult to decipher the homophobic abuse from the gender abuse, which this person had received. But one important point which arose was; as a transperson the kind of abuse due to their gender follows a very similar pattern to that experienced as a homosexual or bisexual.

We must recognise this and acknowledge it, since this is a group of people who are also experiencing hate abuse. We would need to conduct further research to be able to comment on the levels of this abuse.

The letter was very useful in providing this perspective. It also highlights multi-oppression, due to sexuality and gender.

The following sections provide the demographic details of the sample, socialising habits, the level of HHC across Calderdale, reporting of HHC’s, changing behaviour, support following HHC’s and the level of domestic violence in same sex relationships.

Two thirds of respondents were female and one third were male. 33 women compared with 16 men.

Respondents range from 14 years of age to 67 years of age; with a mean age amongst women of 39, and 44 amongst men.

Almost 50% of women were between 35 and 44 years old. 19% of men were between these ages. Almost a third of men were over 54 years old compared with 3% of women. Similar levels were observed between men and women in the remaining categories.

59% (29) described themselves as lesbians, 8% (4) women described themselves as bisexual. 31% (15) described themselves as gay (all men), 1 man described himself as bisexual.

Respondents were asked how open they were about their sexuality. 85% of women said ‘most’ or ‘everyone’ knows about their sexuality, compared with 62% of men. This suggests that the visibility of lesbians is higher in Calderdale.

96% of respondents were white. 2 respondents said their ethnic identity was something other than; Asian, Black or White. One of which described themselves as English/Jamaican, the remaining person did not state.

4% (2) of the respondents were disabled.

86% (42) of respondents lived in Calderdale. The remaining 14% (7) can be explained as: 4 respondents living in Huddersfield, 1 in Blackburn, 1 in Leeds and 1 in Surrey. Highest representation from Todmorden (33%), followed by Halifax (27%), and Hebden Bridge (16%).

Respondents were asked to describe their living arrangements. One third of women compared with half of the men in the sample lived alone. Almost a third of males and females lived with their partners. 28% (9) women lived with their family compared with 13% (2) of men. 1 young man lived in care and the remaining 9% of women lived with friends.

79% (26) of women compared with 44% (7) of men were working. Almost one third (5) of men were retired compared with 3% (1) of women. 1 woman was volunteering and 1 man was unemployed. Similar levels of men and women were in education. 5 were retired and 1 was unemployed, (1 man who is retired works part time and was therefore classed as a worker). This question was therefore applicable to 43 of the respondents, although 5 people did not respond to the question.

Over 40% of women worked/went to college etc. outside Calderdale compared with 19% of men. 29% of women compared with over half of the men worked/went to college etc. in Halifax. Other areas where respondents worked included: Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Rochdale, Rossendale, Wakefield, Manchester, Salford, Ripon, London and Bristol.

Respondents were asked whether they socialised mainly on the scene. Very similar levels were observed for both men and women. A quarter of men and just over a quarter of women said they did mainly socialise on the scene.

Respondents were then asked to consider the following areas for socialising and to rank them according to their first, second and third most popular choice:

29% socialise in Hebden Bridge, 21% in Halifax and 15% in Todmorden. 5 people stated they socialise in places other than those specified, 2 stated Elland the other 3 did not say. We need to remember missing values may represent people who decide not to socialise.

For their second choice: 23% socialise in Hebden Bridge, 19% in Halifax, 18% in Manchester, 12% in Bradford, and 12% in Todmorden. People are tending to go outside of Calderdale for their second choice.

Almost all those who socialise in more than two areas regularly, say as a third choice they would go outside of Calderdale (89%). Manchester being the most popular choice.

Most respondents seem to prefer socialising close to home as their first or second choice, rather than going further a field to areas such as Manchester and Leeds.

69% (34) of respondents have been a victim of at least one homophobic incident at some point in their lives. 55% (27) have been a victim within the last five years. The findings present a large difference in incidents experienced between men and women. 20% more women have experienced at least one incident at some point in their lives.

This difference is even greater when we observe the levels of experience over the last five years. Experience amongst women (70%) is almost three times the amount of that amongst men (25%).

76% of women (25 out of 33) compared with 56% of men (9 out of 16) : 70% of women (23 out of 33) compared with 25% of men (4 out of 16).

Over the last five years: 60% (20) of women have experienced more than one incident compared with 12% (2) of men. 15% (5) of women have experienced more than 10 incidents, no men reported experiencing more than 10 incidents.

What we are finding is a likelihood of repeated attack on LGB’s rather than a one off attack especially with incidents of verbal abuse. Repeat attacks have been noted in several studies, including Alexander 1996 and Brown 2000.

These repeated attacks can have a psychological effect on the victim. Sometimes the victim can reach the stage of almost expecting abuse to happen. This reflects in the following comment from interview 1.

Respondents were asked whether they had experienced any homophobic incidents over 5 years ago. The question did not apply to 26% (9) of the respondents experiencing HHC at some point in their lives. They may not have identified as being lesbian, gay or bisexual during this time.

Of those remaining (40, applicable respondents, 25 women, 15 men) 45% had experienced at least one homophobic incident. 44% (11) of women compared with 47% (7) of men.

37% of respondents had experienced more than one incident.

This finding needs to be read with caution since respondents may have misinterpreted the question. Respondents were given the option of answering the question with ‘does not apply’, but most may have chosen ‘no’. Example comments from respondents describing an incident, which took place over five years ago include:

Verbal abuse experienced on street in Todmorden.

Physical assault experienced over five years ago whilst socialising on the scene.