COC & Safety
Fortunately, many lhbti+ persons in the Netherlands feel safe to be themselves. Nevertheless, a significant portion of our community still faces discrimination, bullying or even violence. For example, seven in ten lhbti+ persons face discriminatory violence in their lives, whether it is verbal or physical. You also see it regularly in news reports: lhbti+ persons being bullied out of their homes or being scolded or beaten up in the street. We plead with politicians, police, the Public Prosecutor's Office and many other agencies to take a firm approach to violence and discrimination.
Here's how COC is making a difference
We are actively working for a Netherlands where lhbti+ persons can safely be themselves. Where trans people can dress the way they want and where same-sex couples can kiss or walk down the street hand-in-hand - without violence or swearing. This is why we urge politicians, prosecutors, police and other agencies to take firm action against discrimination, bullying and violence. Our regional associations also often have short lines of communication with local authorities. This allows us to identify and address safety issues together.
Here's why attention is so important
In recent years, the number of registered cases of discrimination and violence against lhbti+ persons has increased significantly. And that is probably just the tip of the iceberg, because unfortunately only about 15% of lhbti+ persons report or report discriminatory violence.
Different groups in our community face different forms of violence. For example, lesbian and bi+ women often face violence with sexual overtones. Gay and bi+ men and non-binary persons also experience sexual violence. Transgender and non-binary persons are seven times more likely than average to be assaulted or threatened with it. Homosexual men often receive aggressive reactions when walking down the street hand-in-hand. And more than half of intersex persons faced discrimination for being intersex in 2022. Lhbti+ persons also face sexual violence and other transgressive behavior more often than others. This is especially true for asexual, bi+ and transgender persons. Not surprisingly, more than half of our community modifies their behavior to avoid negative reactions.
Time for change, then.
COC has already accomplished this
Fortunately, we are also seeing improvements. Since 2011, double the penalty can be demanded in cases of discriminatory violence. Almost every police region now has a Pink in Blue unit. You can go to these officers for support if you have to deal with anti-lhbti+ violence and discrimination. In 2022, the police appointed the first so-called discrimination investigators, although there are still far too few of them. And to prevent violence, we achieved that promoting acceptance has been compulsory at every school in the Netherlands since 2012.
But we are not there yet!
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a victim of physical violence because of my sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and/or sex characteristics. Can you help me?
First of all, we encourage you to file a tax return! Above you'll find a list of where to go. Should you feel the need to share your experience, we are happy to refer you to Switchboard at www.switchboard.nl.
Photo credits © Geert van Tol