News Articles
14 November, 2004
Gay hate crime soars across Scotland
Source: Paul Hutcheon, Scottish Political Editor (SUNDAY HERALD)
New statistics reveal shock rise in attacks spurred by prejudice
Homophobic crime has risen by up to 90% in some of Scotland's regions, according to figures obtained by the Sunday Herald.
The new statistics have led equality groups to demand that the Scottish Executive extend "hate crime" legislation to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Campaigners believe the findings show that homophobia is still a major problem in Scotland.
" We need to change opinions as well as the legal framework. The casual nature of homophobia illustrates how commonplace it is up here," said Stonewall Scotland Director Ali Jarvis.
Strathclyde in particular has witnessed a large increase in crimes motivated by a hatred of homosexuals.
According to figures released by the police force for the area, 79 "incidents" - ranging from verbal abuse to assault - were reported in the last eight months.
This was compared to 51 crimes logged between April 2003 and March this year - close to a 60% increase.
In Grampian, homophobic crime increased by around 90% in the last 12 months, from nine incidents to 17.
Similarly, the Dumfries and Galloway police force noted a five-fold rise in the second six-month period over the last twelve months.
Other police force areas showed either no change in the number of reported incidents, or a small decrease.
Fourteen incidents were reported last year in Fife, a figure replicated in 2004, while Tayside showed a reduction.
In Lothian and Borders, the 32 crimes reported since April this year were the first time the area's police force had collated statistics on homophobic incidents.
The increases were in line with rises reported last week amongst English forces.
The Metropolitan police reported a 12.5% rise over the last year in recorded crimes, while Merseyside presided over a 49% increase.
Part of the Scottish surge can be explained by the police reforming their reporting procedures. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpos) unveiled its Diversity Strategy this year, which pledged to improve the system of investigating, preventing and reporting so-called hate crime.
In Glasgow, a scheme was rolled out recently to encourage members of the LGBT community to report homophobic attacks.
Backed by celebrities including TV presenter Graham Norton and Scots comedian Craig Hill, the scheme allowed gays and lesbians to report crime on the internet as well as through counsellors.
But equality groups believe the figures are still too low - despite the increases.
"These figures are still the tip of the iceberg. We know that just as many homophobic crimes go unreported. Even in Glasgow, I'd imagine the real number would be much higher," said Jarvis.
Campaigners also believe that homophobic remarks, such as those made recently by failed European Commission candidate Rocco Buttiglione, have created a climate in which assaults on gay people become acceptable.
Peter Tatchell, founder of OutRage! said: "The unacceptable level of homophobic hate crime in Scotland is probably related to the fact that prominent public figures like Brian Souter and the late Cardinal Winning were notorious for selling a public agenda that validated prejudice against gay people. When people speak out against gay human rights, it legitimises queer bashing."
The incidences of homophobic crime have renewed calls for gays and lesbians to receive similar protections under the law already enjoyed by ethnic minorities and religious groups.
A crime motivated by either racial or religious hatred is currently treated as a statutory aggravation, allowing judges to impose stiffer sentences than would otherwise be the case.
But members of an Executive working group recently recommended that the hate crime legislation should also cover sexual orientation and disability.
Such an extension is being opposed by faith groups on the grounds that it might curtail their freedom to rail against homosexuality as a sin.
SNP Justice spokesman Kenny MacAskill said the figures showed that the hate crimes legislation should be extended.
"The statistics are unacceptable. Homophobia is clearly a problem that has to be addressed, and I'm not averse to the LGBT community receiving additional protections. But what we need most of all is better policing, prosecution and punishment," he said.
Scottish Socialist MSP Rosie Kane said the scale of homophobic crimes was a "scar" on Scotland. "These figures show that we still have a problem with intolerance towards gay men and lesbians. It is further evidence, if any is required, that the LGBT community should be given extra protection," she said.
