Victoria Police has vowed to work on building trust with young LGBTI people after a report revealed only half of those surveyed would report a hate crime.
Launched at Footscray Police Station on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), the report found almost six in 10 young LGBTI people surveyed did not believe police understand their issues.
Almost 95 per cent of respondents said they had experienced some sort of discriminatory abuse in their lifetime.
Priority communities division commander Stuart Bateson said the report will help police better understand young LGBTI people and their interactions with and attitudes towards police.
“In recent years, Victoria Police has taken many steps to improve its relationship with LGBTI communities,” he said.
“In 2016, the organisation took this further when it commissioned a report to boost its understanding of these interactions.”
Commander Bateson said the report by GLHV (Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria) identified a clear opportunity for greater training to officers on LGBTI issues.
“The better an officer understands the issues facing young LGBTI people, the more willing and able they are to engage with young people in respectful and positive ways.”
The report made 20 recommendations including increased training on LGBTI issues as well as recruitment strategies to increase LGBTI diversity within Victoria Police.
Commander Bateson said Victoria Police would adopt all of the recommendations.
“Victoria Police’s participation in events on important days such as IDAHOBIT is another way to demonstrate to both the wider community and our employees that they are supported, respected and celebrated.”
The full report is available via the GLHV website.
