LGBTQ+ anti-violence organisation, Galop, has launched a national helpline to provide advice and support to queer people who have been affected by anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and violence.
According to Galop, LGBTQ+ people may feel discouraged from seeking support after experiencing a hate crime due to concerns about homophobia and transphobia in service provision, or fearing that non-LGBTQ+ led services will not fully understand the issues they face.
The new helpline aims to aid this problem. Statistics from the UK Home Office showed anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes have risen considerably over the past two years.
A 2020 report found hate crimes against LGB people rose by 19% over the last 12 months, and those against trans people increased by 16%.