PCC funds support for LGBTQ+ hate crime victims
Police and Crime Commissioner for ClevelandA police and crime commissioner (PCC) has given £12,384 to a charity to help support victims of LGBTQ+ hate crime.
Hart Gables, which works across Teesside and East Durham, was awarded funding by Cleveland PCC Matt Storey for one-to-one and group support sessions.
The charity said the area's LGBTQ+ community "regularly faced" threats of violence, intimidating behaviour, online abuse and hateful comments shouted in the street.
Storey said: "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."
The charity said it anticipated more people would seek support following a "rise in negative media attention directed at the transgender community in recent years".
It spoke of people feeling unable to go to police for fear of being seen as "overreacting" or being "too sensitive".
'Feel seen and valued'
The Thrive Beyond Hate project was awarded the money from the PCC's Protect and Support Fund.
Andrew Towers, from the charity, said the project had supported more than 20 people since November.
"Through practical, emotional and peer support, the project has helped people feel seen, heard and valued," Towers said.
"It means a great deal to know that the PCC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community."
LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer.
In the past year, Hart Gables said it had worked with more than 500 people and supported 43 of them after they experienced hate or hostility due to their LGBTQ+ identity.
The charity added it also helped victims record incidents, even when it did not meet the hate crime threshold, to help police get a better picture across Teesside.
