Survey reveals NZ’s rainbow community more than twice as likely to experience sexual violence, family harm

People who are lesbian, gay or bisexual are more than twice as likely to experience sexual violence or be harmed by family members than the national average, a new survey finds.

Figures released today by the Ministry of Justice from the Crime and Victims Survey found people in rainbow communities are less likely to tell police about offending, despite reporting they are more likely to experience harm.

Ministry of Justice deputy secretary Tim Hampton said he hoped the survey’s findings would raise awareness about the issue. He said it showed, for the first time, «the disproportionate level of victimisation for the LGB+ community».

«There are many vulnerable communities that need our focus and support when it comes to crime and victimisation, and the LGB+ community is certainly one of them», he said tvnz.co.nz reports.