NCJ Number
203413
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International Journal Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: 2003 Pages: 27-40
Date Published
2003
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on a critical analysis of the multiagency response to homophobic incidents in the city of Southampton (England), so as to determine the extent to which policing styles and practices are attempting to increase communication and cooperation with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) "community" in improving public safety.
Abstract
The adverse effects of homophobic incidents experienced by the LGBT community are becoming increasingly well-documented in the victimization surveys conducted in many areas and cities in the United Kingdom (Moran, 2000). In July 2001, the report entitled "Hidden Targets: Lesbian Women and Gay Men's Experiences of Homophobic Crime and Harassment in Southampton" was published. It was commissioned by the City Council's Social Cohesion Team and published by the Southampton Gay Community Health Service. The purpose of the report and its dissemination to a broad audience of stakeholders was to promote a wider understanding of the extent of homophobic incidents in the city, as well as the existing mechanisms that had been established to deal with the problem. The report indicates that the response to homophobic incidents in Southampton has low priority when it comes to developing liaisons for reducing such incidents. The report indicates that there is a distrust or fear of the police in the LGBT community, such that many "hate crimes" are not reported to the police. In response to the report, the Hidden Targets Multiagency Group was created in October 2001. This group includes representatives from 17 statutory and volunteer organizations and agencies across Southampton and Hampshire. In the first year of the group's work, it has focused on building greater confidence in the reporting process and the court service. Efforts have included training for staff working in these services and making them more accessible to the LGBT community through outreach and publicity. The next step is to ensure that services are well publicized and promoted and that the LGBT community is aware of the improvements. The issues remaining to be addressed are the nature and extent of the representation of the LGBT community in those bodies that are attempting to respond to public safety issues that impact the LGBT constituency. 9 notes and 62 references