LGBT hate incidents
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Homophobic, Biphobic or Transphobic motivated incidents
What is a Homo, Bi or Transphobic hate incident?
"Any incident which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity."
This means that a hate incident is when anyone feels they have been picked on or targeted because of they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). This can also be called Homophobia, Biphobia or Transphobia.
Who can I report an LGBT hate incident to?
A new helpline is live for Brighton & Hove residents to report instances of hate crime. The new number is (01273) 292735. This puts residents through direct to the city’s community safety team, a partnership jointly run by Brighton & Hove City Council and Sussex Police.
The service is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (not including public holidays). All calls will be responded to within one working day, in line with the council’s victim and witness standards. The new helpline is just one of a number of ways which the public, communities and communities of interest can report hate motivated incidents.
- In an emergency residents should call 999
- For less urgent situations you can use the police’s 101 non emergency number
- You can also report incidents or concerns using our online anti-social behaviour reporting form
- Email the casework team direct on communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gov.uk This inbox is checked throughout the day and officers receive a notification when a report of hate incident or anti-social behaviour has been received and the customer receives an auto-response to their e-mail
- Report a hate crime on the Sussex Police website
- For information about the national charity Victim Support you can visit www.victimsupport.org or phone 0845 3030 900 (weekdays 9am-9pm and weekends 9am-7pm).
You can also talk in confidence to Brighton & Hove Switchboard should you want to have someone report on your behalf. You can call them on (01273) 204050 - Every day from 5pm, or email them at enquiries.brighton@switchboard.org.uk they will always respect your privacy.
Please report incidents straight away to someone who will act to support and help protect you. For example, you can contact a police officer, teacher, housing officer or employer.
You can also make anonymous reports to the police if you wish. ‘True Vision’ self reporting packs are available in LGBT venues, police stations and council offices and libraries throughout the city and can be used to report the incident anonymously if you wish. Alternatively, you can report online at: www.report-it.org.uk.
LGBT Police Officers
(01273) 665502
lgbt@sussex.pnn.police.uk
The LGBT Police Officers are based in John Street Police Station, Brighton. These officers work in the special investigative Anti-Victimisation Unit. This is the team of specialist police officers who are dedicated to investigating all forms of hate crime.
The LGBT Police Officers work closely with cases of LGBT hate crime, ensuring it is dealt with appropriately and keeping victims updated and offering support when required. They can also offer support and advice to victims and witnesses through the criminal justice process. These dedicated LGBT Police Officers will assist with sensitive and appropriate police enquiries.
LGBT Community Police Officer
A team dedicated to supporting Brighton's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community are now in post.
Brighton & Hove's dedicated LGBT Community Police Officer is PC Rachel Piggott. PC Rich Bridger, a local officer for Kemp Town, will be supporting Rachel part-time and will cover any period of absence, ensuring continuity of service for the community.
These officers will be working closely with partners, who offer a spectrum of services dedicated to the LGBT community. They have a Facebook page and a Twitter feed which you can report through as well as a video blog which you can view.
LGBT Community Safety Officer
(01273) 294638
Brighton & Hove LGBT switchboard website
This officer is based within the council's Partnership Community Safety Team.
Anti-social behaviour and hate incident report form
If you wish to report LGBT motivated incidents, please use the online anti-social behaviour and hate crime reporting form.
You can report all forms of hate incidents and anti-social behaviour through this form.
If you have any queries, please email: communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard - Hate Crime Support and Report Service
(01273) 204050 - between 5pm-9pm (everyday) or email enquiries.brighton@switchboard.org.uk
This offers a supporting and reporting service to victims of LGBT hate crimes. Switchboard can report the crime on the victim’s behalf, including anonymously if required.
Call this service you want to report an incident, or simply need someone to talk to, they provide full support via the helpline and a counselling service to all victims.
The following organisations can also offer support
| Service name | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim Support | Provides emotional and practical support to victims of crime Brighton - (01273) 234009 Hove, Shoreham & Portslade - (01273) 439942 Helpline - 0845 3030 900 - weekdays 9am-9pm & weekends 9am-7pm |
| Allsorts Youth Project |
Drop in for LGBT young people under 26 (01273) 721211 - Tuesday evenings only |
| Housing Advice (HA) / Tenancy Relations Team (TRO) |
Investigates allegations of harassment and unlawful eviction, including that motivated by homophobia or transphobia. Provides help to private sector tenants. (01273) 293157 - after 1pm |
| Broken Rainbow |
National helpline for LGBT people experiencing Domestic Violence. Service is run by LGBT people for LGBT people. 0300 999 5428 / 0300 999 LGBT |
| Gender Trust |
Advice and support around gender identity and Trans issues. Office - (01273) 234024 |
| MindOut |
Independent and impartial information and guidance for LGBT people with mental health problems. Confidential answerphone - (01273) 234839 |
| THT South |
HIV and Sexual Health advice and support. (01273) 764200 |
| LGBT Drug & Alcohol Service |
(01273) 680714 |