A new report has highlighted the fractured relationship between LGBTIQ+ Victorians and authorities, revealing the majority of those surveyed do not trust the police.
The LGBTIQA+ attitudes towards policing in Victoria report by the Victorian Pride Lobby is the largest of its kind in the state, with 1,500 LGBTIQ+ Victorians surveyed.
Four in five respondents (or 80 per cent) said they did not feel they could trust the police to use their powers reasonably, while three in five (60 per cent) felt the police did not respect them.
The study also showed two in three (66.6 per cent) believed LGBTIQ+ communities were treated unfairly by the police, while four in five didn’t feel safe (80 per cent) when there was a large police presence at community events.
One transgender woman surveyed said she felt “unsafe and uncomfortable” when interacting with police and LGBTIQ+ liasion officers.
She said she felt they had “looked down” on her and she felt “small and ridiculed”.
Another person who participated in the study said their requests to meet with an LGBTIQ+ liaison officer were repeatedly refused by an officer who answered the phone at the police station.
“As a result, that crime was never formally reported or recorded and the perpetrator faced no consequences,” they said.
Co-convenor of the Victorian Pride Lobby, Devina Potter, said systematic change was needed for Victoria Police to “repair” its relationship with the community.
“Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ communities have experienced decades of harmful policing in this state, including several high-profile and fraught incidents in recent years,” she said.
“Because of this, LGBTIQA+ people are discouraged from reaching out to the police when they experience vilification, harassment or abuse, for fear they may not be taken seriously or will be treated prejudicially.”
The report found that the raid on the Hares and Hyenas bookstore and St Kilda Police Station’s privacy breach of a trans woman had further eroded the community’s trust in police.
In a botched raid of Hares and Hyenas bookstore back in 2019, police mistakenly arrested LGBTQI+ event promoter Nik Dimopoulos who suffered a broken arm and serious shoulder injuries as a result.
The Hares and Hyenas Bookshop. Source: News Corp Australia Picture Tim Carrafa
Police were reportedly pursuing a carjacking suspect when they entered an apartment above the bookstore where Mr Dimopolous was sleeping at 2am.
Victoria Police came under fire again last year after an officer was suspended over leaked images of former Australian rules football player Dani Laidley after she had undergone gender affirmation surgery.
It came after the former AFL coach pleaded guilty to stalking a woman earlier this year.
Victoria's public sector watchdog is also investigating a separate incident from earlier this month where an unsolicited photo of Ms Laidley was allegedly shared by police officers, who also made transphobic comments.
The Victoria Pride Lobby made several recommendations as part of its report, including funding for a permanent community-controlled LGBTIQ+ legal service and improved data recording and reporting around prejudice-motivated crime.
Committee member Nic Holas said he is hopeful the report - which was undertaken during 2020’s peak of the Black Lives Matter movement - would result in swift action.
“Until Victoria Police does more to build a better relationship with our communities, justice will be delayed for so many LGBTIQA+ people afraid to reach out for support," he said.
"We hope this report can be a turning point."
In a statement to SBS News, Victoria Police deputy commissioner Neil Paterson said police "acknowledged concerns expressed by the Victorian Pride Lobby".
He also confirmed the force had met the group "to establish an ongoing dialogue to address those concerns."
“We also acknowledge the strong and productive relationships we have with many individuals and organisations across the broader Victorian LGBTIQ community over many years," Mr Paterson said.
“Victoria Police remains steadfast in its commitment to rectifying wrongdoings of the past, and we are motivated to do more to earn the trust and confidence of the LGBTIQ community."
Mr Paterson said Victoria Police has a network of more than 420 LGBTIQ+ liaison officers who work to enhance mutual trust and respect between LGBTIQ+ communities and police.
“We will continue to work closely with our stakeholders, including the Victorian Pride Lobby, to better understand how we can work collaboratively to build strong relationships between police and LGBTIQ communities – relationships built on respect, trust and fairness.”
A government spokesperson said Victoria Police was working with the Victorian Pride Lobby to "do more to earn the trust and confidence of the LGBTIQ+ community".
"Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and should expect to feel safe when interacting with police or any part of our justice system – which is why we’re working to make Victoria a safer and more inclusive state while reducing harm and discrimination for our LGBTIQ+ communities," they said.
"We expect the highest standards of conduct from Victoria Police – and that includes a robust and accountable oversight system that focuses on the needs of complainants and victims of police misconduct."
Anyone needing support should contact Switchboard Victoria on 1800 184 527 or via Qlife’s webchat.
Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25).
More information is available at BeyondBlue.org.au and lifeline.org.au.
