Victims of LGBTQ+ hate crime across Teesside will receive specialist emotional and practical support thanks to new funding from Cleveland Police & Crime Commissioner Matt Storey.
The PCC has awarded £12,384 from his Protect & Support Fund to Hart Gables, which supports LGBTQ+ people across Teeside and East Durham, for its Thrive Beyond Hate project, which provides one-to-one and group support for LGBTQ+ people whose wellbeing has been affected by hate crime and hostility.
The funding comes as the charity continues to support members of the LGBTQ+ community facing threats, intimidation, online abuse and hate incidents.
Among those helped by the project is a young trans woman who was attacked and verbally abused while walking home from work in Middlesbrough. Initially reluctant to report the incident to police because she feared being viewed as “overreacting” or “too sensitive”, she is now rebuilding her confidence with support from Hart Gables and hopes to report the attack in the future.
As well as offering emotional support, Hart Gables helps victims record incidents, even when they do not meet the threshold of a hate crime. The information can then be shared anonymously with partner organisations, including the PCC, to build a clearer picture of anti-LGBTQ+ hate across the region.
The project also delivers monthly peer support sessions, providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to share their experiences and connect with others who have faced similar challenges.
Andrew Towers, LGBTQ+ Development Worker at Hart Gables, said: “At a time when hostility towards minority groups is increasing and the UK is falling in the ILGA rankings for LGBTQ+ safety, this project is more important than ever.
“Already, Thrive Beyond Hate has supported more than 20 people who may not otherwise have felt able to report hate or hostility to the police or access mainstream services.
“Through practical, emotional and peer support, the project has helped people feel seen, heard and valued.
“It means a great deal to know that the PCC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Over the past year, Hart Gables has worked with more than 500 people and supported 43 individuals who experienced hate or hostility linked to their LGBTQ+ identity.
The charity expects demand for the service to increase, particularly among transgender and non-binary people, following what it describes as a rise in negative media attention directed at the trans community in recent years and a growing number of people sharing their experiences.
Following a visit to Hart Gables, PCC Matt Storey highlighted the importance of trusted community organisations in helping victims recover from the impact of hate crime.
He said: “Having visited Hart Gables, I can see how important it is to have a project like Thrive Beyond Hate.
“Projects delivered by familiar, trusted organisations like Hart Gables allow people who have experienced hate crime to open up about their experiences, recover their confidence and rebuild their lives.
“With support, I’m hoping that more victims will start to report hate crime incidents so we can then target help where it is needed most.”
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