Report on anti-LGBT hate violence shows 24% increase in incidents over 2006

by Steve Rothaus
The Miami Herald

Overall, NCAVP’s 2007 report noted an alarming 24% increase in total number of victims reporting incidents of anti-LGBT violence (from 1,954 to 2,430). The number of incidents of anti-LGBT violence rose from 1,486 in 2006 to 1,833 in 2007 (+23%), based on reporting from the exact same reporting regions as the year prior (see comparison chart of victims, offenders and incidents 2006-2007 below). In 2007, total number of offenders also increased about 5% over numbers in 2006.

Additionally, 2007 had the third highest murder rate in the past 10 years that NCAVP has been compiling the Hate Violence Report (see chart of known anti-LGBT murders in the U.S. since 1997 below) with murders more than doubling (from 10 in 2006 to 21 in 2007). LGBT people also reported a 61% increase in sexual assaults perpetrated as hate crimes. While this increase is disturbing, Jovida Ross, Executive Director of Community United Against Violence in San Francisco states: “The fact that more people within the queer community are reporting sexual assaults is a hopeful sign that they are coming out of isolation to heal from trauma. It also demonstrates the positive impact of education and outreach.”

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