Earlier today, Statistics Canada released information about hate crimes reported to the police in 2008. The results highlight the lingering—and often ignored—presence of homophobia in Canadian society.

According to Statistics Canada, the largest increase in reported hate crimes between 2007 and 2008 is 71 reported cases in 2007 to 159 reported cases in 2008 for those motivated by sexual orientation. Of the reported cases, hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation were also the most violent. A full 75% of hate crimes involving sexual orientation were labeled violent crimes, involving assault or the uttering of threats.

The number of reported cases also greatly understates the problem, as nearly 75% of hate crimes against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) community go unreported.

The dramatic increase in reported hate crimes against the LGBTQ community further demonstrates the need for improved awareness and education to help prevent discrimination, bullying, and violence. Egale Canada’s Safe Schools Campaign is designed to help combat homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia by working with students, educators, administrators, and parents to help make school communities safer and more inclusive and respectful places for all members of school communities. Students should be able to speak openly about who they are, and who their families are, without fear of harassment. Unfortunately, according to the forthcoming Final Report on Egale’s First National School Climate Survey, two-thirds of LGBTQ students feel unsafe at school and 21% have been physically harassed or assaulted because of their sexual orientation.

Egale is working with police services across the country to provide police training and to do outreach with local LGBTQ communities. These efforts are designed to encourage more victims of homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic violence to come forward and report crimes to police and to help more police officers recognize these forms of violence.