Shocking new data has revealed a significant rise in hate crimes against LGBT+ people in the Highlands
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Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request reveal hate crimes recorded by Police Scotland against LGBT+ people in the region jumped by 46 per cent between 2020 and last year.
That exceeds a rise of 39 per cent across Scotland as a whole for the same period.
And while the 19 Highland cases (up from 13 in 2020) are a small part of the 1915 recorded across the country (up from 1372 in 2020) equalities leaders believe they could be just part of the picture.
The news comes during LGBT+ history month and Jessica Taylor, chairwoman of Highland Pride, said it is her understanding hate crimes are typically under-reported.
“I think the number of unreported incidents would considerably increase this figure because members of our community are not always comfortable reporting LGBT+ hate crimes, or don’t know that they can report a hate crime at any time – even after the incident has happened,” she said.
“While numbers are lower across the Highlands and Islands, I think our community are less visible in rural areas in comparison to larger urban areas in central Scotland and this has an impact on lesser incidents being reported. Does it mean that LGBT+ hate crime doesn’t exist in our local community? I don’t think it does.
“We have had several consultations with Police Scotland, and we hope that two-way dialogue continues to ensure that our community have a voice, however there is still a lot of work to be done and we urge our community to report any form of LGBT+ hate crime to better understand the extent of the problem.”
The first large-scale Pride gathering in Inverness, in 2019, was attended by around 10,000 people and Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick, also an Inverness councillor, said: “As the first out MSP to represent the Highlands and Islands, I can see the progress made, but I’m also acutely aware of what still needs to change.
“The increase in recorded crime is horrifying, but it’s not shocking to those of us who live it. From social media pile-ons to street harassment, it’s still indefensibly normal to experience hate for being who you are.
“As a co-convener of the cross-party group on LGBTI+ in the Scottish Parliament, I work hard to help other decision-makers as well as organisations to understand the unique challenges faced by those of us who are LGBTQI in the Highlands and Islands.
“I hope that people in the community feel able to contact me on any issue – my office will not judge or make assumptions about you and I’m here to help in any way I can from a place of understanding and solidarity.”
Chief Inspector Lindsay Tulloch, of Highlands and Islands Division, said: “Criminality aimed at any individual based on their sexual orientation or gender identity is abhorrent and has no place here in the Highlands and Islands, nor any part of Scotland.
“That being said, we acknowledge that members of the LGBTQ+ community within our region are subjected to hate crime offences and it is imperative that we respond robustly, while at the same time providing victims with all the necessary support and assistance they require.
“We understand that LGBTQ+ hate crime remains under-reported and so we are committed to encouraging victims to come forward through engagement and enforcement. We also carry out campaigns focused on perpetrators, reminding them of the impact their actions can have, not only on their victims, but on the effect a criminal record could have on their personal circumstances.
“All reports of hate crime are treated with the utmost seriousness, sensitivity and professionalism and if you have been affected then please come forward. Only by reporting hate crime can we form a true picture of the scale of the problem, and bring offenders to justice.”
