New report: mobile apps can increase LGBTQ+ hate reporting and support

In the UK’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week, a new report argues that technology can play a vital role in supporting individuals to disclose more information about both criminal and non-criminal hate incidents involving LGBTQ+ people.

The report, called Hate Happens: Technology’s Role in Addressing anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Encounters in the UK was written by academic Dr Kevin Guyan, whose work explores the intersection of data and identity. The report was commissioned by Vodafone Foundation, Stonewall and UK anti-abuse LGBTQ+ charity Galop, which jointly launched Zoteria – a specialist LGBTQ+ support app – in October 2022.

2021 research by Galop found that only one out of eight hate crimes were officially reported, and just one in five hate crime victims and survivors were able to access support.¹ In this new report, Galop – which runs the UK’s National LGBTQ+ Hate Crime Helpline – said that verbal abuse from strangers is often normalised and dismissed and not reported. Research from the government’s National LGBT Survey (2017) also showed that over 90% of respondents hadn’t reported their most serious incident of hate crime.

Drawing on data from Zoteria’s first two years of operation, Dr Guyan argues that specialist mobile apps can make it easier for individuals to share as much or as little information as they wish about hate encounters involving the LGBTQ+ community.

For those who wish to access support, apps like Zoteria also provide a discreet and safe means to direct users to appropriate services. This is particularly important as many LGBTQ+ support services and organisations are based in major UK cities and may not be easily accessible to members of that community living outside of major urban areas.

In the report, Dr Guyan also calls for better reporting pathways and improved structural and strategic approaches to tackling LGBTQ+ hate incidents across the UK.

As Dr Guyan explains: “Major cities tend to provide more LGBTQ+ services such as health and wellbeing organisations, community groups and entertainment venues. By identifying geographical reporting trends we can better understand where encounters are happening and whether people have access to the services they need, or not. Technologies such as Zoteria could help us reach communities that may not ordinarily have access to LGBTQ+ specialist services and support.”

Lisa Felton, Managing Director of Vodafone Foundation said: "Zoteria has highlighted the need for digital tools that can be a gateway for LGBTQ+ people and allies to access support and report abuse, wherever they live. This is an area where more focus and funding are needed. By creating a clearer picture of hate incidents in the UK, we can work together to better support the safety and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community."

Klara Wertheim, Head of Global Programmes at Stonewall, said: “The Zoteria app has been a vital tool in supporting LGBTQ+ people affected by hate and helps us better understand where hate occurs and who it affects. This report is a vital reminder of how mobile technology can provide far greater accessibility to reporting hate and accessing advice.

“What's clear from these findings is that anti-LGBTQ+ hate permeates everywhere. This work could help us tackle anti-LGBTQ+ hate by preventing it happening in the first place, and provide better tailored support services to victims. Zoteria is proof that, LGBTQ+ or not, we can all play a role in standing up to hate whenever we see it.”

Ben Kernighan, Interim CEO of Galop, said: “Galop has been supporting LGBTQ+ victims and survivors of hate crime for decades, and what we consistently see is that although anti-LGBTQ+ hate incidents occur everywhere in the UK, not every LGBTQ+ person has equal access to support.

“The Zoteria app is such an important tool for ensuring that LGBTQ+ people can access specialist support if and when they need it. Every incident flagged on the Zoteria app helps us build a better picture of anti-LGBTQ+ hate across the UK, which is crucial in helping us advocate for practical, long-term changes to the landscape of support for LGBTQ+ victims of hate incidents.”

A full copy of the report can be downloaded here: https://www.vodafone.com/vodafone-foundation/focus-areas/apps-against-abuse

Zoteria is available to download in the UK, for free, on Apple App store and Google Play Store.

1. Hubbard, L. (2021). The Hate Crime Report 2021: Supporting LGBT+ Victims of Hate Crime. London: Galop. Available online: Galop-Hate-Crime-Report-2021-1.pdf

For more information, please contact:

Vodafone

Vodafone.com/media/contact
GroupMedia@vodafone.com

Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England. Registered in England No. 1833679

Stonewall

press.office@stonewall.org.uk
020 7593 1857

About the Zoteria App

Zoteria is a free app developed by Vodafone Foundation in partnership with LGBTQ+ charities Stonewall and Galop that enables users to safely and anonymously record/flag an anti-LGBTQ+ hate encounter and get support from an expert LGBTQ+ case worker if needed. Users can also find information, available services, LGBTQ-friendly event listings and news articles on the Zoteria app.

About Vodafone Foundation

Vodafone Foundation (UK registered charity number 1193984) believes the power of connectivity can change lives and address some of the world’s most pressing problems. Founded in 1991 with a simple mission to invest in the communities in which Vodafone operates, today the charity connects people and ideas with technology and funding, to help those already doing good work to achieve results faster, more cost effectively and with a bigger social impact. Through a strategy of Connecting for Good, Vodafone Group PLC’s philanthropic arm works in partnership with other charitable organisations and NGOs to create solutions that bring about long-term sustainable change and improve lives. For further information, please visit www.vodafonefoundation.org

About Galop

Galop is the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity. We work directly with thousands of LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence every year. We specialise in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, and other forms of abuse including honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and so-called conversion therapies. We are a service run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, and the needs of our community are at the centre of what we do.

We run the National LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline, supporting all LGBT+ survivors of violence across the UK. We provide Independent Hate Crime advocacy services, both in London and nationally, for LGBT+ victims who need longer-term support. We are person-centred, empowerment-based, and trauma-informed.

We use what we learn through working on the frontlines with clients to work on national and local policy change, to improve outcomes for LGBT+ victims and survivors of hate crime. We build evidence through key pieces of research around LGBT+ people’s experiences and push for legislative change.

To find out more, please visit https://galop.org.uk/

About Stonewall

Stonewall is the UK’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, working to create a world where every lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer person is free to be themselves – wherever they are.

It was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who wanted to break down barriers to equality. Stonewall continues to campaign on LGBTQ+ equality, as well as work with employers to create environments which allow LGBTQ+ people to thrive.

The charity is currently campaigning for the Government to take urgent action to improve its approach to addressing LGBTQ+ hate, via its Hold My Hand Campaign on LGBTQ+ safety. It is asking members of the public to email their MP to call for urgent change.

Find out more at www.stonewall.org.uk