Brace for jump in violence
Police, emergency services and ACON’s Anti-Violence Project are bracing themselves for the annual seasonal surge in homophobic violence.
Research from the University of Sydney shows that while people who watch the parade are supportive of the GLBT community, some spectators use it event to reinforce their negative attitudes towards homosexuals.
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said while ACON is working with NSW Police, the NSW Attorney General’s Department and the City of Sydney to address the issue, it remains a serious problem.
“Data gathered by the NSW Government shows gay men and lesbians are, respectively, four and six times more likely than the general population to experience prejudice-related abuse, harassment or assault,” he said.
“During Mardi Gras, a time of celebration for our community, the amount of gay hate crime increases further with most incidents occurring in Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Kings Cross and Newtown.
“Street-based homophobic violence is usually perpetrated by groups of young men, often travelling in groups of two or more, so it’s best to avoid these types of groups if possible by crossing the road or walking around them.
“We recommend partygoers travel to and from venues with friends or travel in taxis if they’re alone and that they cover up their party clothes or get changed at the venue to avoid being a target. We also advise that they stick with their mates, especially if their mates are drunk or out of it, because alcohol and other drugs can reduce awareness.
“Finally, all violence and harassment should be reported to police for immediate action or to ACON’s Anti-Violence Project.”
info: In an emergency, call 000. For non-urgent enquiries, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or visit your local police station. Report violence to the AVP at www.acon.org.au or call 9206 2116 or 1800 063 060.
It’s about time these thickheads who love their flag, their stupid boring anthems and their rugby ought to get a bit of their own medicine
and it’s high time the gblt community takes back newtown and darlinghurst so that these intruders get their own asses kicked and go back to where they came from
great article
Yes Pete , I totally agree with you ! Police…get real, party drugs are not the problem, lose the dogs and stop wasting police resources on largely victimless “crimes”. Deal with anti gay violence and viloence in general which is almost always fuelled by the legal drug alcohol! Alcohol kills by accident or violent intent. Police do your job and stop the spin…btw have you apprehended Craig McGee’s attacker yet??????
Yes great isn’t it!!we have a 4-6 x more chance of being abused,harassed ot assaulted.And they spend our taxpayers money on hoards of sniffer dogs looking for minute quantities of drugs.Please can this money be spent on stopping these people harass us,abuse us,bash us?
No I guess ??…a dog is more fun than having to deal with real crime right?
Dont be afraid to contact the police, I know many GLBT people who refuse to contact the police. Contact them even if its only verbal homophobic abuse; because that same drunk hetero who verbally abused you, might physically assult a gay person just around the corner, then at least you can give evidence or provide info to the police when contacted (after they put two and two together) as to what the offender was wearing etc, even if you did not witness the drunk hetero bashing a gay person.