This year's British Society of Criminology聽Hate Crime Network (BSCHC) addressed transphobic hate crime. The event was organised by Dr Jane Healy, Principal Academic and Deputy Head of the Department of Social Science and Social Work at 成人直播 (BU). Dr Healy and members of the Hate Crime Network welcomed attendees and speakers from across the UK to join the conversation.聽聽
Dr Jack Lopez from the University of Bradford was a keynote speaker at the event. Additional speakers included聽charities,聽Space Youth Project and Beyond Reflections as well as academics,聽students,聽Dorset Police聽and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Members of the public were also invited to share their views.
Dr Lopez presented statistics which showed a between 2020/21 to 2021/22聽in England and Wales聽which, he said:聽"Correlates with increased media reporting of misinformation."
In addition, Dr Lopez commented: 鈥淭he UK press consistently use negative rhetoric around the trans community, this constant reporting of misinformation has emerged a false argument, a distraction from policy and an increase in hate crimes and a public change in attitude which is having a huge impact on our community, which is already vulnerable鈥ltimately, what we must learn to do, is聽love one another without prejudice.鈥�
Dr Jack Lopez, Assistant Professor, University of BradfordA panel of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Wessex members and Dorset Police gave insight into their services and Criminal Justice in practice.
Dorset Police hate crime lead, Detective Superintendent, Ricky Dhanda聽reported that between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023, 7.4% of hate crimes against trans people聽in Dorset have led to positive outcomes, which typically include a charge or summons to court.聽
Ricky said: 鈥淭here is simply no place for hate in our communities and we are absolutely committed to robustly investigating all hate crime offences, bringing offenders to justice, and ensuring victims are supported.
鈥淰ery sadly we know that hate crime is underreported, and the victims are often some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. We continue to work with partner and support agencies, to better understand the problem and ensure victims, and the wider public, are aware of all the ways offences can be reported, including to third-party reporting centres.
鈥淲e can only support victims and tackle this abhorrent crime if people report offences to us.鈥�
Ricky Dhanda, Superintendent, Dorset PoliceLater in the conference, Jai Murray, spoke of his experiences as a trans man. Jai commented: 鈥淭he trans community is not currently being treated as human beings, there is a lot of fear. I鈥檓 honestly scared of physical violent attacks when I am out.鈥�
He continued, 鈥淲hat impacts me the most is having been stuck in the surgery system for 10 years. I don鈥檛 get taken seriously as a trans man but, what is baffling to me is how my recent autism diagnosis is taken more seriously. Treat us seriously, we know how we feel. It goes back to treating people how you wish to be treated.鈥�
Dr Gina Gwenffrewi from the University of Edinburgh, commented:聽鈥淭he anti-trans hate crime increase correlates to聽increased聽misinformation in the media. Universities are showing anti-trans films which go against institutional policies. Consequently, this causes increased tension聽on campuses and聽feelings of disempowerment amongst trans people.鈥�
Attendees聽shared good practice聽and there were lively conversations and debates聽throughout the day. A desire for more discussions聽on this topic was highlighted by many.
Find out more about the聽
Reporting hate crimes
If a crime is happening now or someone is in immediate danger,聽call聽999.
You can report hate crime on the聽聽or by calling聽101, SMS/Text 67101, minicom/textphone 18001 101 or Sign Live (via BSL interpreters).聽
