Calderdale Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Network
Homophobic Hate Crime and Bullying Strategy
Date: 16/09/2010
Definitions
Within this paper the following words and abbreviations are in general taken to mean or imply:
Homophobic - is used to mean and imply homophobic, bi-phobic and trans-phobic
Hate crime -is used generally to refer to or imply hate crime, bullying and harassment
Where technical definitions are intended beyond the general meaning above this is highlighted in the text.
Introduction
Following the June 2010 quarterly meeting of Calderdale’s LGBT Network at which a positive debate about the future focus of the network was discussed it was proposed by the membership present that the network look to strategically refocus the work programme of the network onto a project with medium to long terms aims.
The meeting agreed to focus on addressing issues relating to homophobic hate crime.
This paper sets out a proposed strategy for consideration by the network at its next quarterly meeting in September 2010.
Aim
To work, within the Network’s terms of reference, to focus on, raise awareness of and help address issues of concern to the LGBT community in relation to homophobic, bi-phobic and
trans-phobic bullying within or targeted at Calderdale’s LGBT individuals or communities.
The network would look to work in partnership wherever possible to achieve its identified aims.
Why now:
Whilst the network understands and accepts that in recent years LGBT communities have benefitted from improvements at national and local levels, it is also recognised that homophobic hate crime is still present in some organisations, institutions and communities.
It is also true that in difficult economic times marginalised and minority groups often suffer disproportionately from increases in hate crime and negative representation.
Moreover, in the current economic climate the LGBT Network is mindful of the possibility of a reduction in services designed to support those who are most vulnerable including LGBT people and communities.
There is a renewed national focus on the effects and impacts of hate crime on the specific individuals and communities and the Network sees opportunities to benefit from this national momentum in addressing issues at a local level.
The potentially devastating effects and impacts of bullying on the personal lives of individuals and communities and their sense of wellbeing is recognised and understood.
Similarly the effect and impact on educational attainment, work place productivity and therefore economic contribution is also recognised.
The benefits of addressing these issues are therefore seen by the network as having personal, professional and economic benefits to Calderdale, and that these benefits will be felt by the wider population and not simply within the Borough’s LGBT communities.
Definition of homophobic and trans-phobic hate crime
The Network will consider homophobic hate crime in its widest possible sense.
The Network’s definition embraces a wide range of work and non-work environments including: educational establishments, public, private and voluntary sector work places.
Whilst “bullying” is often associated with schools and with children and young people it also understands that bullying can be experienced and committed by people of all ages and can
be felt in all communities.
Hate crime, bullying and harassment can be overt and covert in nature and can be experienced
in a wide variety of ways which are not always immediately obvious or easy to detect.
Hate crime and bullying can also be institutionalised and can become to be seen as normal
by individuals and within communities and work places making it difficult to identify and
challenge and change.
Hate crime and bullying is also seen by the Network as taking place across a broad range of behaviours such as:
- an attitude and demeanour of one individual or group to wards to another individual or group (e.g. funny looks, uncomfortable atmospheres)
- indirect verbal or written abuse (negative comments, overheard conversations, graffiti),
- direct verbal abuse (e.g. name calling)
- threats or acts of physical violence and aggression
Strategy
In the last decade the acceptance of LGBT people nationally has advanced significantly.
In addition to responding positively to national agendas, there have been other significant improvements at a local level which have taken place within Calderdale.
The LGBT community in Calderdale is increasingly visible, active and supported.
One of the most visible signs of this progress has been the establishment of a regular annual LGBT Pride event hosted in Calderdale’s premier civic venue, the Piece Hall. The body organising this event has now been formally constituted and is now funded by the national lottery.
However, there are still many areas of life where homophobia and transphobia persist.
This is most apparent where LGBT people and communities are discriminated against when similar or equivalent discrimination on the grounds of race, disability, gender and/or faith is now considered socially, culturally or institutionally unacceptable.
The Network also accepts that addressing the root causes of behaviours and culture which can give rise to homophobic hate crime is a complex and challenging task but recognises that great advances have been made in changing attitudes and behaviours particularly amongst young people.
The Network strategy will therefore primarily focus on testing the nature of the progress made in Calderdale in relation to changing perceptions, attitudes and behaviours towards LGBT people.
The Network strategy will look initially at working with schools and educational establishments to explore a range of issues including:
- How acceptable and comfortable it is for teachers and education staff to be out at work to colleagues and to students
- How acceptable and comfortable it is for students to be out at school to staff, teachers, and other students
- Changes in incidents of homophobic hate crime within educational establishments towards staff and students as a result of the increased profile and visibility of the LGBT community
- How education policy and practice challenge negative behaviours and experiences e.g. the use of the word “gay” to mean something “less than”, “bad” or “negative”
The strategy will have 4 key themes:
- Improving interconnectedness of people, services and resources
- Increasing the focus and spotlight on homophobic, bi-phobic and trans-phobic bullying
- Addressing issues and concerns at policy and strategy level
- Facilitating and supporting positive practical activity to help the victims of homophobic and trans-phobic bullying
The work required to progress these themes will be explored during Network meetings and events with the intention of developing flexible working teams to deliver identified activity and action.
The Network recognises the deeply sensitive nature of some of these issues and will take a medium to long term approach to strategy development and review in order to allow time for
issues to be fully debated and explored.
The network believes that it is vital to the success of any strategy that plans be comprehensively researched and developed over time with the support, input and guidance of those working in or having substantial knowledge or experience of the education sector.
Due to the size, nature and influence of the education sector the network believe that positive work which can be achieved within this sector has the potential to have a positive impact in many other areas of people’s working and personal lives.
To progress the strategy in practical terms the following draft objectives have been drawn up for further discussion and consultation with the LGBT Network meetings from at its September 2010 onwards.
Strategic Objectives
1.Focus all future network and working group meetings and events on homophobic hate crime.
2.Identify, develop and provide safe physical and virtual spaces, events and activities where issues around homophobic hate crime can be explored and debated.
3.Build capacity and capability within and around the Network to deliver this work
4.Consult with Calderdale’s Hate Crime Partnership and build an appropriate strategic relationship with this and other relevant organisations and individuals inside and outside of the Network
5.Consult with education stakeholders and partners with a view to evolving this strategy into a flexible and well informed medium to long term strategy that is designed from the grassroots up.
6.Identify and discuss existing policy, strategy and practice in the Education Sector and agree a way of testing and debating how well they address, challenge and reduce homophobic hate crime.
7.Explore a range of options and opportunities for providing practical support around the issue of homophobic hate crime.
8.Continue to raise the profile and visibility of LGBT Hate Crime and bullying:
a.Identify and make use of key events/dates etc to raise issues and awareness of e.g. IDAHO/LGBT History month etc
b.Re-launch and re-focus the network web site
Contact:
Tim FaganChair Calderdale LGBT Network
E-mail:
Tel:07578037 473 (Personal mobile)
NB. The Network’s old e-mail address has been spammed.
Please note the new correct e-mail address above and update your records accordingly.