Welsh Government takes action to tackle Hate Crime

The Welsh Government is forming a Framework for Action to tackle Hate Crime across Wales to be developed by Spring 2013. The Task and Finish Group are focusing on hate crimes associated with the protected characteristics of disability, gender reassignment, race, religion / belief and sexual orientation. Click here.

Stonewall Cymru is leading the focus on homophobic hate crime and will be holding a number of LGB Stakeholder meetings across Wales over the months for LGB people to contribute their views on three priority areas – preventing hate crime; increasing reporting, training and access to support and improving the operational response to hate crimes.

How you can get involved

Complete this Welsh Government Questionnaire and give your views. It is important to hear from LGB people your ideas and suggestions. Click here.

Watch this page for dates and venues of Stonewall Cymru’s LGB Stakeholder meetings over the next few months:

Thursday, July 5th, 2012 at 6.30pm – 8.30pm in Transport House, I Cathedral Rd, Cardiff CF11 9SB

At this meeting we want to hear about the work you, or your LGB group, are currently doing to tackle homophobic hate crime. We want to hear your suggestions and examples of effective ways to challenge homophobic attitudes and increase reporting and access to support.

Discussions will also be taking place as part of already established meetings and results fed into the Welsh Government Task and Finish group:
• North Wales Police Liaison Group – 8th May, North Wales Police HQ, Colwyn Bay
• Swansea Forum – 4th July, DVLA, Swansea
• Gwent LGB&T Community Safety Group – 29th June, Newport

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) people across Wales speak directly to service providers.

In 2009 Stonewall Cymru moved away from an annual conference to four regional events. The purpose of these events would be to tackle relevant local issues, reduce travel issues, to inform the work programme of Stonewall Cymru, and enable us to react to emerging issues. Although the events were held regionally they were open to anyone from around Wales.
Eight separate events have been held between June 2010 and November 2011. In total more than 300 people attended including a mix of service providers, third sector organisations and LGB people in a personal capacity. Nearly half of the participants were there as individual LGB people.
These events saw local decision-makers and service providers meet with local LGB people. Everyone was able to share their views and experiences of education, health, housing, community safety and Equality and Diversity policy. The events were kindly hosted by the Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Service or the Victim Support It's No Joke Project.

Here is a taster of what was said at these events...

What was the best aspect of the event?

LGB individual: “Opportunity to get the message direct to those who can make a difference locally.”

LGB individual: “Great to have so much time to discuss different issues in an informal and constructive way. Opinions valued – listened to. Great speakers.”

Representative of a service provider: “I found this year’s Have Your Say Event excellent. It was skilfully interactive with light hearted but relevant moments. It is a great opportunity to share thoughts, ideas and concerns from different parts of our diverse communities.”