In 2023, new hate crime statistics released by the ONS highlighted the continuing dangers faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Notably, the increase in hate crimes against trans people rose by 11% in a year, and by 186% in the last five years. Hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation remain up by 112% in the last five years, despite 2023 showing slight decrease of 6% for the year just gone.
Whilst the figures remain a huge source for concern, one glimmer of hope is that more people are reporting hate crimes. However, a report to the police may not always result in charges being brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). There is understandably a lot of confusion about why that is, and the legal process, when it comes to reporting and prosecuting hate crimes.
We are lucky enough in this episode of Proud Perspective, to have been joined by two fabulous senior prosecutors for the CPS, Emma Hollett and Leanne Townsend, who helpful shed some light on hate crime statistics, when a case may end up with the CPS, and processes running in the background. Whilst we hope our listeners will never need to, we hope that the discussion helps remove the “fear of the unknown” element when considering reporting a hate crime.
To view the stone wall hate crime stats, please click here.
To view the CPS website, please click here.
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