Zoteria: New app launches to help report and tackle LGBTQ+ hate crime
Vodafone Foundation has launched a new app, Zoteria, to help the LGBTQ+ community report hate crimes and access support from charities.
Users can confidentially register such incidents on behalf of themselves or someone else, with one of Zoteria’s key goals being to improve the reporting of trends relating to anti-LGBTQ+ attacks.
The app was developed in partnership with LGBTQ+ charities Stonewall and Galop, the latter of which will reach out to victims and provide a safe space to talk. “Galop has been supporting LGBTQ+ victims of hate crime for decades, and we know that the official figures only represent a small proportion of what our community experiences on a daily basis in the UK,” said Leni Morris, CEO of Galop. “Zoteria will link LGBTQ+ people who need support directly to our services, run by LGBTQ+ people. “This app, alongside our other work, including the National LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline, helps get us a bit closer to a future where all LGBTQ+ people in the UK have access to specialist support in the wake of abuse and violence.” Anonymised data from towns and cities will be available to local authorities to ensure they can better understand the number and types of hate crimes taking place in their areas.
This information will also highlight the specific issues faced by ethnic minorities, which have been proven to face barriers in accessing support after experiencing racism and/or homophobia.
