23 Feb 2010

People attending the Mardi Gras celebrations in Sydney over the next two weeks are being urged to take precautions when they’re out and about due to the surge in homophobic violence that accompanies the famous event.

According to ACON – Australia’s largest community-based gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) health and HIV/AIDS organisation – reports of gay hate crimes sharply increase in the lead-up to and on the night of the Mardi Gras parade.

Research from the University of Sydney also indicates that while many people who watch the parade are supportive of the GLBT community, some spectators see the parade as an opportunity to experience something ‘strange and bizarre’ and use the event to reinforce their negative attitudes towards homosexuals.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says while ACON is working with NSW Police, the NSW Attorney General’s Department and the City of Sydney to address the issue, it remains a serious problem.

“Data gathered by the NSW Government shows that gay men and lesbians are, respectively, four and six times more likely than the general population to experience prejudice-related abuse, harassment or assault,” he says. “Even more disturbing is that during Mardi Gras, a time of celebration for our community, the amount of gay hate crime increases further with the majority of incidents occurring in the inner-Sydney suburbs of Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Kings Cross and Newtown.

“We’re working with the relevant authorities to provide a range of additional security measures such as information campaigns and extra police patrols. However, there are also several personal precautions that people can take to minimise the risk of violence.

“To start with, we know that street-based homophobic violence is usually perpetrated by groups of young men, often travelling together in groups of two or more, so it’s best to avoid these types of groups if possible by crossing the road or walking around them. We recommend that partygoers travel to and from venues with friends or travel in taxis if they’re alone and that they cover up their party clothes or get changed at the venue to avoid being a target.  We also advise that they stick with their mates, especially if their mates are drunk or out of it because alcohol and other drugs can reduce awareness.

“Finally, all violence and harassment should be reported to police for immediate action or to ACON’s Anti-Violence Project (AVP) because if the level and types of violence are on the public record, then agencies such as ACON can lobby for improved security for our community.“

In an emergency, people should call 000. For non-urgent enquiries, people can call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or visit their local police station. Reports of violence can also be made to the AVP online at www.acon.org.au or by calling the AVP on 9206 2116 or 1800 063 060. People seeking support can also make an appointment with one of ACON’s counsellors on 9206 2000 or they can talk to a counsellor from the 24 hour Victim’s Support Line on 9374 3000. For more information about reporting homophobic violence, check out the Speak Up campaign currently being promoted by ACON, NSW Police and the City of Sydney at selected GLBT venues and events, in bus shelters along the parade route and on the ACON website: www.acon.org.au