To mark this day, the Equality and
Human Rights Commission has written to Chief Constables and the Chairs of Local
Criminal Justice Boards, Community Safety Partnerships and Primary Care Trusts,
providing them with guidance on how they can play their part in tackling
homophobic crimes and abuse. The Commission’s letters call on those responsible
for tackling abuse to:
- increase the reporting and recording of homophobic hate crimes
- take concerted action to monitor and increase the arrest, prosecution and conviction rates and reduce reoffending rates of homophobic hate crime
- provide better support to victims and
- ensure frontline staff treat lesbian, gay and bisexual people with dignity and respect.
The Equality Act 2010, which recently
received Royal Assent, will place a new obligation on public sector
organisations to promote equality, eliminate harassment and foster good
relations on the ground of sexual orientation. The Commission will continue to
support public bodies in meeting these duties.
