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Most homophobic hate crimes in Northern Ireland not reported

Tuesday, 2 June 2009

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The majority of homophobic hate crimes in Northern Ireland are not reported to police despite appeals for victims to come forward, a major survey on the issue revealed today.

The survey of more than 1,000 people compiled by the Rainbow Project found that 64% of homophobic incidents in the last three years were not reported.

The study was commissioned by the police and while gay rights campaigners recognised the efforts of officers to reach out to the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) community, they said more work needed to be done.

The Rainbow Project Equality Officer John O'Doherty, who carried out the research, said: "Hate crime has a devastating effect on victims, those who fear being victim and on society in general.

"The PSNI have made substantial progress in gaining the co-operation of the LGB community and improving perceptions of the PSNI.

"However, there are still high levels of homophobic hate crime throughout Northern Ireland and low levels of reporting."

The research was carried out between January and March 2009 and surveyed 1,124 lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

It was the largest response to any research covering LGB issues in Northern Ireland.

The report entitled Through Our Eyes included the findings:

39% of LGB people are worried about being a victim of crime
39% alter their behaviour to avoid others knowing they are not heterosexual
21% of gay and bisexual males, and 18% of females have suffered homophobic attacks in the last three years
64% of homophobic incidents go unreported
Over half of LGB people believe the police are professional and helpful, but 21% have experienced problems with police.

The report recommended that greater efforts be made by police and other agencies to ensure homophobic crime is reported, with the promotion of online or third party reporting.

And it called for police training and protocols to be shaped to enhance the service to communities in all police districts across Northern Ireland.

Mr O'Doherty said: "Some innovative new systems and structures have been implemented to improve reporting but these don't seem to have been followed through with pro-active promotion outside of areas showing already high reporting.

"'Through Our Eyes' is a snapshot of LGB people's experiences of crime and policing over the last three years and we believe that through this report and the implementation of these recommendations, we can move to address this issue effectively and speak with one voice against those who want to damage our society."

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66 Comments

Wow baryy no apology yet? Strange. Has your (over)confidence in THAT book been shaken?

Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 09.06.09, 09:29 GMT

phl, spoken like a true outsider who knows nothing of the inner workings of a country (they probably have never set foot in). You clearly have a very one dimensional view of how things are in this part of the world.

Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 04.06.09, 16:04 GMT

Baryy, i am actually worried about you, i can picture you strolling round city hall with a sandwich board yelling at the sky. you need to get help man.

Posted by MiHe | 04.06.09, 15:55 GMT

Baryy,
Luke 24:33,36,37 states that after the resurection Jesus first appeared to the eleven disciples in a room at Jerusalem. While Matt 28:16,17 states Jesus first appeared to the eleven on a mountain in Galilee. thats only a few examples I have given you there are many more if you choose to question things and look instead of blindly following and letting the stories thrust upon you form bigoted opinions which result in the marginalisation of minorities which your religion doesnt agree with.

Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 04.06.09, 15:27 GMT

Ok Baryy here goes. Matthew 27:5 Says Judas hanged himself.
Acts 1:18 there Judas fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.
John 13:27 says Satan entered Judas at the last supper while Luke 22:3 says he entered him before the supper. Acts 1:18 says Judas purchased the Potters field. Matthew 27:6-7 says about the same field it was purchased by the Chief priests. There's 3 to start with and I wont even ask for 3 apologies baryy. 1 will do. I await your apology.

Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 04.06.09, 15:19 GMT

That's truly outstanding baryy, the bible has no flaws!! Fantastic.I am calling your brand of religion a 'product' I call it so because thats what it is otherwise there would be 1 religion.The heads of the particular religion have a vested interest in pushing this product so ordinary people (YOU)follow the rules to keep them in their positions of authority, follow voting patterns that tie in with the product.It isnt that hard to follow baryy, for a person with eyes open anyway, clearly not you.

Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 04.06.09, 14:42 GMT

ha ha ha ha

"If the bible had any flaws, they would have been found before now, and yet oddly they havnt."

*wipes tear from eye* mercy....

Posted by McD | 04.06.09, 14:20 GMT

Look, sinful penguins ! Get Iris Robinson's magic 'gay-curing' psychiatrist on the phone immediately...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8081829.stm

Posted by Beenie | 04.06.09, 11:37 GMT

If ULSTER wants to cut down on hate crimes just stop telling anyone what YOUR RELIGION IS. IN the USA, only a FOOL gives this information. Ask me and I will tell you where to go.

Posted by phl | 03.06.09, 17:30 GMT

Andy: "the bible coined the term"! Really!

In the biblical Hebrew, the generic word for sin is "het". It does not mean to do evil but means to miss the mark, or make an error!

I believe the word "Sin" is more likely to be of germanic origin! But I suppose you already knew that!

Also I am sure you are aware that all religions, some older than Christianity would have their own word for and teachings about "Sin"

Posted by Martin | 03.06.09, 16:55 GMT

I think you may be onto something there mark, these people who condemn the act doth protest to much. I think there may be underlying issues of things they are told by THAT book and the people who push it onto them, insofar that they are taught to hate things that may be within themselves. It would be a true pity to live a lie in fear of offending a book of 2000 year old tales. As far as I'm concerned one of the worst things you can do is not be true to yourself. Free yourself people!

Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 03.06.09, 16:52 GMT

and again i have to ask where your getting this from. who did i side with and when? And why do you keep calling a relationship a product? I dont really follow your logic. i doubt you do either because you seem incapable of explaining it

Posted by baryy | 03.06.09, 16:40 GMT

Fada thats a joke, even i know of many historical books that refernece individuals also named in the bible. If the bible had any flaws, they would have been found before now, and yet oddly they havnt. The dates of the gospels are all in the first century. That sounds pretty reasonable considering jesus would have died in or around 30AD. I can write about my experiences 20 yrs ago, so im sure they could to. Just name a single contradiction in the gospels and il apologise...

Posted by baryy | 03.06.09, 16:39 GMT

'PS Fada,... whatever it (the bible)says is sin is sin.'

Posted by andy

Andy did you steal that from the Pet Shop Boys song? A fan are we?...Come Clean, I like them too!

Posted by mark | 03.06.09, 16:26 GMT

I'm not making things up, you were on your high horse about the most judgemental people in society are the PC anti christian ones. Yet you side with people who actually do force their opinions on people because they buy into the same product as you. Also christianity or the christians who are the charges of it are not for equality. Unless they buy into the rules of your product (christianty) they are marginalised and told that they are sinful. Now that's hardly equality now is it?

Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 03.06.09, 16:23 GMT

If we're going to get all 'statistical' about it, then surely let's consider the fact that there are less wheelchair users than gay people in the UK. Therefore, it MUST be a waste of taxpayers' money to install ramps and disability access to places of interest, workplaces etc. Doesn't exactly seem fair does it? Just like it isn't fair that so many gay people feel targeted in our society.

Posted by CT | 03.06.09, 16:14 GMT

baryy many facts are contradictory, given that some 'eyewitness' accounts were written by people some decades after Jesus was alive. Many gospels contradict one another. To answer your somewhat pathetic goading question about Julius Ceasar, there are many accounts of his life in books from the time.Historical books. Which are found severly lacking when it comes to biblical figures. Surely you are intelligent enough not to put your faith in one book for your answers?

Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 03.06.09, 16:14 GMT

you are just making things up now fada, i never said i dissliked liberal opions or the people who voice them, as you say i was merely stating my own opinion, except you appear to think im not entitled to because it isnt what you want to hear. And saying christianity was never based on equality is just rubbish. What did you base that fly away comment on?? Also i dont know when your referring to me staying silent on other issues, another clarification please.

Posted by baryy | 03.06.09, 16:11 GMT

PS Fada i would just direct you back to were its stated, the bible coined the term sin and therefore whatever it says is sin is sin.

Posted by andy | 03.06.09, 16:03 GMT

Centaur you seem obsessed with what you percieve are wastes of tax payers money. previously it was Irish language issues now gay rights issues and you have the cheek to try and let on you arent intolerant! Like i pointed out to you before these people are tax payers too, so they have the right to information on what steps to take should they be attacked for being gay. What a backward logic you possess, kind of like 'I'm not intolerant..but'. For a man of your years that is truly pathetic.

Posted by In Tne Name of The Fada | 03.06.09, 16:02 GMT