MORE THAN 60 per cent of homophobic incidents in Northern Ireland are not reported to the police, according to a new study by the Rainbow Project which works on behalf of the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) community.
The survey, entitled Through Our Eyes, found that 64 per cent of homophobic crimes were not reported to the PSNI.
The survey of 1,124 members of the LGB community also reported that almost four out of 10 LGB people were worried about being a victim of crime while a similar number altered their behaviour to convey the impression they were heterosexual.
The study further found that 21 per cent of gay and bisexual males and 18 per cent of women said they suffered homophobic attacks in the last three years.
Over half of the survey respondents said police were professional and helpful while 21 per cent said they experienced problems with police.
John O’Doherty, equality officer of the Rainbow Project, said hate crime has a devastating effect on victims.
“The PSNI have made substantial progress in gaining the co-operation of the LGB community and improving perceptions of the PSNI.
“However, there are still high levels of homophobic hate crime throughout Northern Ireland and low levels of reporting,” he added.
The survey was carried out between January and March this year.
The Policing Board said it welcomed publication of the report. SDLP Assembly and board member Dolores Kelly said it was vital the findings were acted upon.
Ms Kelly said there was a huge problem about reporting homophobic crime. “Whether the victims think this will not be taken seriously or investigated is a problem we, as a society, must tackle together. Unfortunately, a mindset still exists where some people think attacks against gay and lesbian people are justified. Others may not be outraged enough by this but they should [be],” she added.
Eoin Collins, director of policy change at Glen (Gay and Lesbian Equality Network), said: “This report is another reminder that fear of, and actual experience of violence and harassment continues to be a key issue for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT] people.”
He added research by Glen and Belong To Youth Service found that violence and harassment was also a major issue for LGBT people in the Republic.
He said such research showed 80 per cent of LGBT people had suffered verbal abuse, 40 per cent had been threatened with physical violence, and 25 per cent had been punched, hit, kicked or beaten because they were LGBT.
