Non Reporting of Hate Crimes
A few months ago, Donal Lynch, the only gay in the village aka columnist for the Sunday Independent questioned the Johnny Report on hate crimes (Downloadable here) experienced by lesbians and gay men in Ireland. Dermod spent some time debating the merits both of the report and Lynch's dismissal of it. I also added my views here
Further research from Victim Support in the UK published today highlights the non reporting of hate crimes by those affected. Crime and Prejudice (pdf file) reports on the experiences of those who had been victims of race and homophobic crime and analysed the views of those affected towards the police and other services. It makes extensive recommendations for changes in responses of police and victim support organisations.
What is most interesting for me, and I suggest required reading for Donal Lynch, are the reasons given for non reporting of this type of crime, the types of crime experienced and the suggestions made by victims (I hate that word). They fear not being listened to or being outed and being harassed further. No doubt Lynch will pull holes in this research too to suit his own arguments but I again contend that just because you don't see it or feel it does not mean that it does not happen.
Time to repeat an earlier call I made for Victim Support groups here to look at Hate Crime and work with lgbt groups on developing policy on the issue.
Source: Link to SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Most hate crime victims suffer in silence
posted by Maman Poulet @ 8/16/2006 12:15:00 p.m.
5 Comments:
Excellent stuff Suzy, thanks for posting this...
Thanks for posting this and repeating your earlier call. I feel a rant coming on...
I've just re-read the Sindo article (don't normally read this paper) and I groaned. If the journalist thought things had improved in ireland since decriminalisation, then he's rather naive.
While women seemed to have become invisible (again) in the Sindo article, the problem is that the article also reinforces the normality of what I call the culture of disbelief about men's issues in ireland.
When men get sick (health-wise), or get attacked on the street, or raped, etc. there is a persistent fear that they will not be listened to or their problem will be minimised - and hence not believed. Men are supposed to be strong and invulnerable, and if "you" have a problem, then go and deal with it yourself (preferably in a dark room somewhere). This is the price of hegemonic masculinity, which is utterly toxic to men's lives. Homophobic violence is one manifestation, but there are others in terms of alcoholism or risky sex practices. The article implies that its normal that men don't report violence, because men don't report it - but it's not problematised as to why.
My own experience of reporting some homophobic violence is that the police have been nothing but supportive, and have never batted an eyelid about my issues. (After window-smashing and homophobic daubing on windows of our home, the police were tenacious in investigating the issue.
Policy would help to counter the stereotype of the police, but more useful still would be promotional strategies to counter the gender politics of 'saying nothing.' We need to emphasise the cultural aspect.
My view is that sexual stigma and the closet perpetuate the silence and fear. Many gay men are still not totally out of the closet, so we need to ask why they feel the need to 'cover'.
This calibre of violence is a major issue because it is sexualised and requires disclosure. But the Sindo journalist seems to want to minimise how the perpretrators of this violence seem hell-bent on keeping us in our place or to problematise the underlying politics of how and why homophobia is occurring (so much) today.
Lynch problematises the level of cases... one case is one too many. Grrrr.
Sean...rant away!!! And hurry up and finish the opus so you can get blogging!!!!
Interesting blog you got here. It would be great to read more about this theme. Thank you for giving that information.
Joan Stepsen
Escorts Cyprus
Nice story as for me. I'd like to read a bit more concerning that matter.
Thanks for giving that material.
Marina
female Kiev escort
Post a Comment
<< Home