Survey shows 'shocking' figures on sexual harassment (From Mid Devon Star)

Survey shows 'shocking' figures on sexual harassment

5:00pm Tuesday 11th May 2010 in News

ONE in ten lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people in the South-West have suffered harassment, abuse or physical violence at work in the last two years according to interim findings from a survey carried out by Equality South West.

And one in six received the same treatment outside their homes after dark, although 70% of them did not bother to report the offence, often because they felt the authorities would not take them seriously.

With over 300 responses so far from people across the region, Pride, Progress and Transformation is the most detailed ever survey of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people’s experiences and attitudes carried out in the South-West.

Katie Pratt, from ESW, said: “When you think about the attitudes that lie behind these shocking figures, they show we still have a long way to go when it comes to creating an equal society.

“What is particularly worrying is the amount of people having trouble at work, sitting and standing alongside people every day, people who are supposed to be their colleagues.

“We have evidence of workers taking sickness or absence because they can’t cope with going to work in the morning. We want to know what employers are doing to stop this routine abuse of their staff.”

The survey also shows 15.1% of respondents were abused in their local area after dark and 10.2% were abused in their local area during the day.

Katie Pratt said: “The evidence so far suggest that most of the abuse seems to come from young people – either driving past well-known gay clubs, yelling abuse out of car windows, or at school or college – so we need to educate people that abusing someone for their perceived sexuality or gender is unacceptable.”

Elsewhere the survey shows 36.1% of respondents thought their sexual or gender identity affected the extend to which they were treated with dignity and respect.

Katie Pratt said: “People should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their identity”.

The preliminary findings of the survey are being presented at an event in Taunton on Monday, May 17.

Katie Pratt said: “We’ve been very encouraged by the responses to our survey so far, and are keeping it open until the end of June.

“The results will be an invaluable kick-start for the understanding LGB and Trans people’s needs in the South-West.

“Public bodies will have to set priorities for addressing discrimination against LGB and Trans people when the new Equality Act comes into force later this year, so these results will be a useful resource for them.”

The survey can be downloaded from www.equalitysouthwest.org.uk/our-networks/sexual-orientation/pride-progress.html