Drastic increase in hate crimes based on sexual orientation
The news is shocking and shows once again how far Germany is from complete equality. According to current studies and surveys, more and more hate crimes are being registered that focus on people's sexual orientation. The increase of hate crimes against queers amounts to more than 50 percent.
The figures have become known because Ulle Schauws, a member of the Bundestag, had made a direct inquiry to the state criminal investigation departments. Many now agree: Due to the increase, there is an urgent need for action.
It should also be borne in mind that the number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher. Many victims do not dare to go public because they are ashamed of what happened to them.
A closer look at hate crimes against the LGBTQI+ community.
The state criminal investigation departments categorize offenses and crimes into so-called "subtopic fields." One of these said fields relates to people's sexual orientation. And it was precisely in this "category" that more than 850 hate crimes were recorded in 2021 alone. In the year before, the number already amounted to just under 580. Within one year, an increase of more than 50% could thus be registered. In addition, the number may rise even further if, for example, hate crimes that were previously wrongly classified are subsequently categorized in the sub-theme "sexual orientation.
However, with regard to violence against queers, it is also worth looking at another relevant subtopic area, namely "gender/ sexual identity," where 340 hate crimes were also reported.
Thus, there were a total of more than 1,050 hate crimes against people from the LGBTQI+ community.
The information is without guarantee, since - as already mentioned - changes can still occur. One question that is likely to be on the minds of more than just people in the community is: "What actually motivates people to commit such hate crimes?
Violence against queers: different motives for hate crimes
The motives that lead people to commit such hate crimes come from a wide variety of backgrounds. A look at the statistics on the investigation provides information here. However, the corresponding data is not complete, as about half of the cases could not be assigned to a specific cause.
For the other 50%, the following applies: about 84% percent of hate crimes are right-wing motivated, six percent are based on the religious beliefs of the perpetrators. The remaining ten percent are divided: five percent due to foreign ideology and five percent from left-wing motivated causes.
A small ray of hope: The government wants to act
The protection of queer people in Germany is to be further supported, among other things, by the action plan for acceptance and protection of sexual and gender diversity. Among others, queer commissioner Sven Lehmann is also sure that the action plan will be enforced later this year.
There are also other plans to guarantee the protection and safety of the LGBTQI+ community.
Among other things, it is considered particularly important that further research be conducted in the area of hate crime. At the same time, the subtopic areas already mentioned above are to be expanded.
In addition to this, there should be queer contact persons at the police and local court authorities, who will of course be prepared and trained accordingly. Ulle Schauws hopes that this will make more queer people feel safer and report hate crimes.
Do you already know Leon Dietrich? He is the commissioner from the scene