Anti-gay Violence: Causes, Consequences, and Responses (From Bias Crime: The Law Enforcement Response, P 113-125, 1991, Nancy Taylor, ed. -- See NCJ-136058)

• NCJ Number: 136068
• Author(s): K Berrill
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: University of Illinois at Chicago
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Prejudice against homosexuals underlies the extensive violence directed against homosexuals, although much of the violence is not reported due to victims' fears of discrimination and hostility if they reveal their sexual orientation to the police.

Abstract

A national survey conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force revealed that 15 percent of the respondents had been physically assaulted at least once because of their sexual orientation, 42 percent had received threats of physical violence, and 93 percent had experienced some form of abuse and harassment. Other surveys have reported similar results. However, little is known about anti-homosexual homicide. Harassment and violence occurs in many settings including campuses and homes. In addition, homosexual male inmates are disproportionately the victims of sexual assaults. Harassment and violence directed against gay and lesbian community organizations also increased significantly during the 1980's. The available data also suggest that AIDS has negatively affected the cultural context in which anti-homosexual violence occurs. The psychological effects of victimization are similar to those for other hate crimes, but homosexual victims have almost no interactions with the criminal justice system. Need changed include research, legislation that protects homosexuals, and victim assistance.