Homophobic and Transphobic Hate Crime
Homophobic and transphobic hate crime is especially serious because it undermines peoples right to feel safe about being gay, bisexual, heterosexual or transgender.
These crimes are based on ignorance and discrimination, and have no place in an open and democratic society.
Where prosecutors have evidence that an attack was motivated by hostility towards someones sexual orientation, they will argue that this is an aggravating factor. This could lead to an increased sentence from the court.
Sadly, a large number of crimes against the gay or trans community are still not reported. The CPS wants to increase prosecutions for these crimes, and to do this we rely on people coming forward.
Speaking out about abuse can be daunting. But we offer support to victims and witnesses through Witness Care Officers, whose job is to ensure that people can give their best evidence in court. This might mean helping with arranging things like transport or child care.
Witnesses can also be supported by the use of special measures in court, which allow vulnerable or intimidated people to give evidence in alternative ways such as over TV link or from behind screens.
The CPS is determined to get justice for every person we serve and, where we have sufficient evidence that a crime was based on hostility towards someones sexual orientation or gender identity, prosecutors will argue that this is an aggravating factor in court.
