NCJ Number
240303
Date Published
March 2010
Length
25 pages
Annotation
Based on a 2009 survey of victim assistance providers and anti-violence programs for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) victims, this report identifies widespread gaps in victim services for LGBTQ victims of crime and recommends steps to improve both the services and their accessibility.
Abstract
This report concludes that LGBTQ-specific anti-violence programs must have resources and support in building their capacity to collaborate with and train law enforcement agencies and mainstream service providers in order to ensure inclusive and competent outreach and services for such victims of hate crimes. Discriminatory policies that harm LGBTQ people and communities must be reformed to allow access to services required by LGBTQ victims and to end government-sanctioned discrimination that is at the root of bias-related anti-LGBTQ crimes. In addition, the difficult work of changing sociocultural biases against this population must become a stronger and intentional part of crime-prevention work. Regarding existing victim-service organizations, this report recommends the development of collaboration among LGBTQ anti-violence programs and mainstream victim-assistance providers to increase the availability of culturally competent services for LGBTQ victims of crime. Another recommendation is that evaluations be conducted of the implementation of State and Federal prosecutions for victims of crime and implement policy and legislative changes that ensure LGBTQ victims have equal access to protections. In addition, efforts should be made to increase public awareness of the extent and impact of victimization of LGBTQ individuals and the gaps in services provided these victims of hate crimes. The report also recommends increased State and Federal funding for collaboration, training, outreach, services, research, and data collection on the victimization of LGBTQ individuals. 31 notes