Resources for reporting sexuality and gender-based hate crimes

For International day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, akt would like to spotlight the resources available to those taking a stand against sexuality and gender-based hate crimes. 

What is a sexuality or gender-based hate crime?

A sexuality or gender-based hate crime is any form of communication, be that in person or online, that promotes hatred, discrimination or violence towards an individual or group because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  

A crime of this sort can include: 

  • Verbal threats or acts of violence directed towards an individual or group because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  
  • Online trolling, including the use of homophobic, transphobic or biphobic language on social media. 
  • Messages containing offensive comments or imagery targeted at an individual or group because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. 
  • Name calling, 'jokes' and sexual harassment targeted at a group or individual because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  

Why is this day so important?

Here at akt, we understand that being the target of a sexuality or gender-based hate crime can be really distressing – and reports of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crimes have more than doubled in the last 5 years. 

Statistics show a disproportionate level of young LGBTQ+ people facing homelessness, many of which have previously faced a sexuality or gender-based hate crime in the home: 

  • 24% of homeless young people identify as being LGBTQ+.  
  • 77% of the LGBTQ+ young people we work believe that coming out at home was the main factor in causing their homelessness. 
  • 66% of the LGBTQ+ young people that akt have supported said they were 'repeatedly belittled' by their family members to the extent that they felt 'worthless' before they became homeless. 

 On a wider scale: 

  • 1 in 10 LGBTQ+ people reported experiencing an online sexuality or gender-based hate crime in the last month. 
  • 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people have experienced a sexuality or gender-based hate crime in the last 12 months. 
  • 4 in 5 sexuality or gender-based hate crime incidents go unreported. 
  • 3 in 5 LGBTQ+ people who have experienced a sexuality or gender-based hate crime want help, but only 1 in 5 have access to it. 

At akt believe that no individual should have to experience the threat of a sexuality or gender-based hate crime.We recognise that reporting these incidents can be overwhelming – but doing so plays an important role in accurately communicating the scale of the issue and driving policy and social change.   

Here are some ways to report incidents of this sort: 

Reporting sexuality or gender-based hate crime online:

Abusive messages, campaigns or cyberbullying motivated by prejudice and directed towards a minority group can often be classed as a hate crime.  

  • Report it on social media: All major social media networks have a feature to report hate crimes and harassment. If you, or someone you know, has been a target of a sexuality or gender-based hate crime, it’s important to report it on the social media platform itself. 
  • Report it to the Police using an online form: If you feel an immediate risk of violence or danger, always call 999. 
  • Report it through a third-party Hate Crime Reporting Centre: This could include Stop Hate UK, which has a helpline and app open 24/7, 365 days a year.  
  • Call a LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline: If you need a safe space to talk, Galop LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline is here for you. You can talk to their helpline team about online abuse targeting you because of your sexual orientation or gender identity.

Reporting a sexuality or gender-based hate crime in the workplace:

If you’ve experienced a sexuality or gender-based hate crime in the workplace, this goes against the Equality Act 2010.  

  • If you, or someone you know, has been targeted by a colleague, talk to your line manager: Set up a meeting and inform them about the hate crime as soon as possible.  
  • If the hate crime has come from your line manager, contact senior management to arrange a meeting: You could also contact a member of the human resources department. If you need extra support, ask a trusted colleague to come with you to the meeting. 
  • Before the meeting takes place, think about which action you would like to be taken: Your manager should inform you of what options are available.  
  • If the sexuality or gender-based hate crime continues, you can arrange an employment tribunal: Here you could make a claim if you have faced discrimination at the hands of your employer.

Reporting a sexuality or gender-based hate crime in school:

Bullying motivated by a person's sexual orientation and/or gender identity, can often be classed as a hate crime.   

  • It is the responsibility of your school to deal with LGBTQ+ hate crimes under their behaviour policy: Speak to a trusted teacher. Depending on the severity of the bullying, the school may involve the police or a social work department. 
  • If your school fails to adequately deal with the anti-LGBTQ+ bullying and it continues, you might be able to challenge the school's failure to fulfil their Public Sector Equality Duty. 

Reporting a sexuality or gender-based hate crime from a stranger:

In public, sexuality or gender-based hate crimes do not always come from someone you know. 

  • If you experience a hate crime when in public and are at immediate risk of violence or danger, it's important to call 999: Speak to the police as soon as you can.  
  • As soon as you are in a safe place, make note of the details about the incident: This should include the time, location and nature of the incident. These can later be given to a 3rd party reporting centre or police who should also scope the area for any CCTV which may be used as evidence. 

Third party reporting centres 

Third party reporting centres provide an alternative way to report a sexuality or gender-based hate crime. Reporting a crime through these centres is confidential and can be done anonymously. 

  • Switchboard is a confidential LGBTQ+ helpline that offers support to those who have been a victim of a hate crime.
  • LGBT+ foundation also offers support to those who have been affected by anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime.  
  • The Zoteria App was created in partnership with Stonewall and Galop. The app helps anyone who has been a victim of a sexuality or gender-based hate crime to get the support they need.  
  • True Vision has been developed so that you can report hate crimes online.
  • Stop Hate UK operate the UK's only free dedicated 24-hour anti-hate crime reporting service. 

If you have experienced sexuality or gender-based hate crime and need support around housing, then you can contact us by emailing [email protected] or messaging us via live chat. We are open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and you can leave us a message outside of these times and we will get back to you. 

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