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# Galop launches national hate crime helpline
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/galop-launches-national-hate-crime-helpline/
- Published: 2021-02-02T17:17:55.000Z
- Updated: 2021-02-02T11:06:49.000Z
- Description: LGBTQ+ anti-violence organisation, Galop, has launched a national helpline to provide advice and support to queer people who have been affected by anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and violence.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: Mental Health, News, COVID-19, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ rights, UK News

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/galop-logo-1.jpg)

LGBTQ+ anti-violence organisation, **Galop**, has launched a national helpline to provide advice and support to queer people who have been affected by anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and violence. According to [Galop](http://www.galop.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/For-Service-Providers-Barriers.pdf?ref=scenemag.co.uk), LGBTQ+ people may feel discouraged from seeking support after experiencing a hate crime due to concerns about homophobia and transphobia in service provision, or fearing that non-LGBTQ+ led services will not fully understand the issues they face. The new helpline aims to aid this problem.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/stop-hate-crime.jpg)

Statistics from the UK [Home Office ](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hate-crime-england-and-wales-2019-to-2020/hate-crime-england-and-wales-2019-to-2020?ref=scenemag.co.uk)showed anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes have risen considerably over the past two years. A 2020 report found hate crimes against LGB people rose by 19% over the last 12 months, and those against trans people increased by 16%. **Leni Morris**, CEO of Galop, said the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to this rise: *“Because lockdown makes households more easily identifiable in public, same-sex couples were subject to abuse when they were seen together. We saw situations with transphobic and homophobic neighbours escalate.”*

Morris continued: “\[After\] *Seeing what was happening to our community,* \[it was clear\] *we needed to offer a safe space for support and advice to those who need it”.* The fully confidential hate crime helpline is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm. It is run by LGBTQ+ people, for LGBTQ+ people. It can be accessed by calling 020 7704 2040 or emailing HateCrime@galop.org.uk.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/galop-lgbtq-1.jpg)