The results of the 2013/14 Brighton & Hove LGBT Trust and Confidence Survey are now live online.
The findings and recommendations drawn from them were presented at a quarterly meeting of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum (LGBT CSF) on Wednesday, October 28.
The idea for a Trust and Confidence Survey came out of Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum public meetings during 2012.
LGBT groups indicated that hate crime was a significant factor in the City, and wanted an annual survey to measure baseline levels of trust and confidence in police and council services, to deal with this situation.
They were also mindful of the Police Survey: Sexual Orientation and Transgender Related Incidents – Understanding Under Reporting and the Count Me In Too survey report from 2007.
Key findings of the 2013-14 survey include:
♦ 39% of respondents said they had experienced one or more incidents of verbal abuse, sexual abuse, bullying, physical violence, cyber-bullying, negative comments, criminal damage, harassment or teasing these things with the majority (26%) stating that they have experienced negative comments.
♦ 56% of respondents reported that these incidences took place on the street with 75% being committed by strangers.
♦ One of the main themes raised by respondents in relation to the Police and Local Council was that they would like to see a more visible police presence on the streets, particularly in known popular LGBT areas. The findings suggest that the increased police presence in these areas might see a reduction in street crime.
How well are crime reports dealt with?
♦ When asked what they would like to see in Brighton & Hove in the future 45% of respondents stated that they would like the police and service providers to have LGBT awareness training.
♦ The theme of education and training was echoed strongly when respondents were asked to comment about what they felt would improve safety in Brighton and Hove for LGBT communities. Several respondents commented that the police and council staff needed to have more training and a greater understanding of LGBT issues.
When asked how well reports of abuse, discrimination and safety issues in Brighton and Hove were dealt with by different agencies, the most significant finding were:
♦ Of the respondents that reported a crime to the police 67% were not sure of the outcome and 0% ended in conviction. This compared to the 2012/13 survey where 8.5% resulted in conviction.
♦ 44% of respondents stated that they didn’t report an incident because they felt it wasn’t serious enough and this was echoed in some of the comments where respondents made reference to the fact they may have got used to name calling and didn’t see it as a hate crime.
Billie Lewis, the elected Chair of the LGBT CSF, said: “Its important that the LGBT community feels safe within the city. With more cut backs looming its vital the statutory services show they are taking our concerns seriously and have a sturdy plan in place to deter and prosecute perpetrators of Hate Crime. A large majority of people have indicated that they would like to see more LGBT awareness and training within the statutory services. This may be happening but there seems to be some confusion within the community on what training takes place, how it is implemented and how the level of training is maintained. I have invited both the Police and the Partnership Community Safety Team to attend our Public meeting on Wednesday, February 10 to discuss how LGBT policing works within the city and how complaints of Hate Crime and incidences are dealt with and actioned.”
Eric Page, Community Safety Officer, Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “Brighton & Hove City Council and the Partnership Community Safety team are grateful to the LGBT CSF for undertaking the survey for another year and sharing the findings. It’s an important source of feedback and fresh data regarding the LGBT communities in the city and their experience of services and accessing services offered by the Partnership Community Safety Team, the council and our partners.
“The survey’s results highlight areas where the local authority can do better and building on the findings of the previous survey, and the recent Trans Needs assessment, the findings are an important tool in helping us better focus services to identified needs and also directing us to areas of work with the LGBT community that are currently not taking place but the community identifies as important. In a time of diminishing resources and budgetary contractions it is helpful to have up to date data to inform work that affects the city’s wide and diverse LGBTQ communities.
“It is encouraging to see amongst the results, quotes and findings that there are some areas of work where we are successfully reaching vulnerable communities and treating them with respect and consideration, but as always with trust and confidence this is an ongoing process of engagement where we will only be judged on the work we successfully achieve.”
Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp, added: “I am pleased that overwhelmingly those from LGBT communities who reported incidents and crimes to Sussex Police were pleased with how we dealt with them. I would like to see more reporting of incidents to us but I understand that there are many reasons for not doing so and this survey shows that when we are told, we usually get our response right and provide a good service that supports the victim.
“We have come a long way in improving trust and confidence with LGBT communities over the years and I want everyone from those communities to know that we stand with you and if you need us, we will be there for you. I would like to thank the LGBT CSF for their work and for making this survey possible and I am pleased that we were able to make a contribution towards the cost of the survey.”
The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum is an established independent LGBT forum of seven elected unpaid volunteers working with the LGBT Community to address and improve safety and access issues throughout Brighton & Hove and the towns within its city.
They undertake cultural, educational and social safety community activities and any type of LGBT community/inclusion and accessibility initiative.
The Forum was formed to give the community a much-needed voice on a wide range of safety issues in Brighton and Hove and exist to act as a bridge between the community and statutory services such as Brighton & Hove City Council and Sussex Police to enable there to be more accountability and transparency of the services provided.
It’s very much a forum where members of the public can have their say and can ask direct questions to those in charge of community safety in the city.
The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum hold quarterly public meetings. The dates of the public meetings in 2016 are:
♦ Wednesday, February 10
♦ Wednesday, April 13
♦ Wednesday, July 13
♦ Wednesday, October 26 AGM
To view the complete findings of the 2013-14 Trust & Confidence survey, click here: To take part in the 2014/15 Trust & Confidence survey, click here:
For more information about the Forum, click here:
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