What experiences of violence do people in the LGBTIQ community have? And what steps are needed to prevent violence and border violations? Experts from a specialist agency and two organizations provide insights.
Sim Eggler, Project management and research assistant LGBTIQ, Gender Equality Office, Canton of Basel-Stadt
People in the LGBTIQ community are confronted with border violations. However, many of those affected do not turn to a counseling center, but keep this experience to themselves. Why is this the case?
Sim Eggler: In general, many people affected by violence and boundary violations do not seek support from advice centers, either because they are not aware of these services. Or because they have other barriers, such as feelings of shame or communication challenges. Other reasons can play a role for queer people: For example, they do not know whether the person providing advice has the necessary awareness and knowledge to understand their situation as a queer person. Whether the chosen pronouns and names are accepted and used. Or whether they may even experience queer hostility or stereotypical attributions from the advice center.
Are there any other reasons?
For members of a community that experiences discrimination and hatred from outside, it can be more difficult to name violence within their own community and seek support. Loyalty and protection towards one’s own community and other queer people can be more important than one’s own well-being. If I have to fear that the other queer person I report or name as a perpetrator of violence will be treated in a queer-hostile way as a result, then that may hold me back from getting help. That is understandable. And yet it must be clearly stated that every person has the right not to experience violence and to receive support.
What can Victim Support beider Basel do for people from the LGBTIQ community affected by violence? What tasks should it take on?
It is important that victim support services are accessible to all victims of violence, including the community, and provide specialized support and access to victim support services. Specialized counselling with a peer level and appropriate communication of the service can be fundamental for those affected in order to guarantee appropriate and accessible counselling. Networked cooperation with other services for queer people is important here, especially those that come from the community and offer queer spaces or other types of counseling, for example. In this way, an interplay can be created that reaches as many LGBTIQ people affected by violence as possible and meets their needs. The diversity of the LGBTIQ community must also be taken into account when designing the services. As this has not yet been done, a pioneering role can be played here.
Milo Käser, Project Manager of the LGBTIQ Helpline
What forms of violence are people from the LGBTIQ community confronted with?
Milo Käser: Whether on the train, on the street or online – insults, threats and physical attacks are unfortunately part of everyday life for many LGBTIQ people. Insults make up 70% of the cases reported to us, threats and physical attacks 21%. Trans and non-binary people are hit particularly often. And sometimes a kiss in public is enough to trigger hatred.
What does the LGBTIQ Helpline do?
The helpline is a point of contact for queer people who experience hate crimes and discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity and who have general questions about life as a queer person. It therefore not only offers the opportunity to report incidents. It also provides support in the form of advice and gives the queer community a voice in the social and political arena in order to draw attention to our needs.
Based on your experience, how widespread is hate crime in the region? What is the trend?
Hate crime is a growing problem: the number of reported cases across Switzerland doubled to 305 in 2023. And we have to assume that there are unfortunately still many cases that remain hidden, as many of those affected do not dare to report incidents, let alone report them. According to national surveys, we assume that almost a third of all LGBTIQ people have experienced hate crime in the last five years. Unfortunately, there are no more precise figures from the region.
How is the LGBTIQ Helpline preparing for the ESC? What situations are you expecting?
At the ESC, we not only expect a lot of visibility, but unfortunately also challenges for the community. The helpline is prepared to be the point of contact in the event of insults or discrimination. Experience from major events shows how important a low-threshold support service is.
What can Victim Support beider Basel do for people affected by violence from the LGBTIQ community, at the ESC and in general?
Victim support should be particularly present during the ESC in order to be able to support affected persons quickly and unbureaucratically. Counseling, legal assistance and psychological support are essential. It is important that those affected know where they can turn – both during the event and afterwards.
We are listening! LGBTIQ Helpline
The LGBTIQ Helpline is the first point of contact for all concerns about life as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex or queer person. It is a peer-to-peer advice center and the Swiss-wide reporting office for LGBTIQ-hostile violence. The advice service is aimed at all people who have questions and concerns about the LGBTIQ living environment – regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
From Monday to Friday, 7 to 9 p.m. by phone and chat. By e-mail at any time.
0800 133 133 | www.lgbtiq-helpline.ch | hello@lgbtiq-helpline.ch
Alessandra Widmer, Co-Managing Director of the Lesbian Organization Switzerland LOS
What experiences do lesbians, bisexuals and queer women have with violence?
Alessandra Widmer: Hate crimes against lesbians, bisexuals and queer women are often a perfidious mixture of sexism and queer hostility: we are affected by specific forms of violence, often including sexualized violence.
Is the impression deceptive or are gay, bisexual and queer men perceived more in society than women, even when it comes to hate crimes?
When we think of women and violence, we often don’t think of queer women first, but of heterosexual women, who still experience a disproportionate amount of violence in our society. It is important for us to be visible. But when it comes to those affected by violence, it is important to us that all those affected receive the attention and support they need.
What do you think should change?
More knowledge is needed about the different realities in which lesbians, bisexuals and queer women affected by violence live, whether they are cis, trans or non-binary. But none of this is of any use if the necessary resources are not finally invested in preventing violence.
What can Opferhilfe beider Basel do for lesbians, bisexuals and queer women affected by violence in the region?
As with all other contact points, it is of course important that we meet advisors who are aware of the realities of our lives. Many people are not even aware of the services and responsibilities of the victim support centers or are afraid to come forward.
LOS: Proud, visible and loud
The Lesbian Organization Switzerland LOS is the national umbrella organization for lesbians, bisexuals and queer women in Switzerland. It fights for the legal and social equality of lesbians, bisexuals and queer women.
LOS is particularly active in the following areas:
Victim Support beider Basel
Steinengraben 5
CH-4051 Basel
