SPECIAL REPORT: 'This has absolutely destroyed me': The men beaten up for being gay
Attacked with a hammer and robbed whilst holding hands. Violently beaten and 'left for dead' in the middle of the street. The experiences of courageous victims of hate crime in our region, people targeted for being who they are.
"When I moved here, I had no friends, so started to try make friends online to go out and enjoy myself," he said. "I used to come here a lot when I turned 18 and always felt safe, but on the night of me being attacked I had numerous people throw comments at me just because I was wearing something I felt comfortable in," he said.
"When I was in school, I was 19 stone with long hair and just the easiest target to get picked on. I never stuck up for myself. I spent a lot of time boosting my self confidence so that when nasty comments are thrown at me, It doesn't phase me. But I could've never predicted this would happen. "From April to November I still feel like I am in the same position. Is my crime not as relevant as any other crime? If I'd have stolen a loaf of bread from a shop, an officer would be at my door by the time I got home.
When the M.E.N contacted Greater Manchester Police about Morgan's attack, the force said the case remains open with officers still investigating. Reliving the ordeal, Ryan, 22, told the Manchester Evening News : "There’s not enough done by public servants, specifically the police, that helps victims and allows them to know that they’ve received some sort of justice. I don't feel it was taken seriously. The case was closed and they said they couldn't do anything as no-one was able to be identified.
"A year on, we’ve moved past it," he said. "We do hold hands in public, but only in certain places. I think Manchester is still an inclusive city definitely, as me and Max still feel safe in town. But places like Bury and Radcliffe where we live aren’t inclusive whatsoever." So far in 2022, data recorded up to September 12 shows 1,433 recorded crimes, already more than the 1,345 recorded in the entirety of 2020. And between 2020 and 2021, the latest fully recorded year, there was a 56.7 per cent increase in hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people in our region, from 1,345 to 2,107.
"As a force, we recognised we were under-reporting, so a number of the crimes that have gone up, including hate crimes, is because we now are recording everything as we should be, set out from the Home Office." "A nother factor is the opening up of night-time economy. If you compare last year to the full year previous year, there were still Covid impacts in that, whereby now, we are back to what we were pre-covid times, and a number of hate crimes are committed in the open public, near nightclubs and on public transport in night-time economy areas.
Nonetheless, Insp Broadstock says 'positive outcomes' were increasing. "If we're recording more crime, then you've got a risk of your charge and solve rate becoming lower. Purely on the numbers, we did have more positive outcomes from offences in '21 and we did in '20. "I do understand some of the reasons why. It can be a massive life-changing traumatic event, and why would you want to then go face to face in the courtroom with that person that has impacted upon you in such a personal way?"
"We need to explain to people that we've checked CCTV, that we've done house to house enquiries, that we've spoken to witnesses. As a police officer who has dealt with victims previously, if we do have that honest conversation with that victim, to explain to them that we have done everything we can, as disappointing as it may be, at least they understand.
Danmark Seneste Nyt, Danmark Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også læse nyheder, der ligner denne, som vi har indsamlet fra andre nyhedskilder.
Garland Taps Special Counsel to Handle Trump InvestigationsAs special counsel, Jack Smith will be the one who decides whether to bring charges against former President Trump
Læs mere »
Special counsel Jack Smith to oversee criminal investigations into TrumpThe special counsel will ultimately decide whether to file criminal charges against the former president.
Læs mere »
Garland Names Special Counsel to Lead Trump-Related ProbesAttorney General Merrick Garland has named a special counsel to oversee the Justice Department’s investigation into the presence of classified documents at former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate and aspects of a separate probe involving the Jan. 6 insurrection and efforts to undo the election. The move Friday was announced just three days after Trump announced his 2024 candidacy. It’s a recognition of the unmistakable political implications of two investigations that involve not only a former president but also a current White House hopeful. Though the appointment installs a new supervisor atop the probes the special counsel will still report to Garland, who has ultimate say of whether to bring charges.
Læs mere »
Guardians of the Galaxy boss responds to holiday special theoryGuardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn has debunked a fan theory regarding the Silver Surfer in the upcoming Marvel Holiday Special.
Læs mere »