Police vow to crack down on hate crimes as new unit formed to help vulnerable West Aussies

Victims of hate crimes and those in minority groups scared of coming forward to report abuse have been assured that WA Police have got their backs. Officers from WA’s new hate crimes unit say they are “committed” to tackling any offences against people feeling vulnerable, including those from the LGBTQI+ community, gay men or victims of anti-Semitism. Speaking for the first time since the close-knit unit was formed, Detective Superintendent Ricky Chadwick said police would use all powers available to hold perpetrators of hate crimes to account — covering the realms of harmful threats and acts of violence on people because of their race, religion, sex, gender identity and beliefs. He said investigators had engaged with people from the LGBTQI+ community over recent months in order to ascertain what issues people were experiencing. “We found was there was under-reporting that a lot of people have had adverse experiences in the public domain, not so much through physical assaults, but the typical grubby, horrible, harmful, hurtful commentary in public spaces,” he said. “We established that there is an issue there — what we’re trying to do is build the trust, that gives people the comfort there is a mechanism to report this. “The consequences of the type of grubby, despicable, horrible experiences they have is quite profound, so we’re very mindful of that, and we only get that when you sit down and speak with the affected community.” The new unit — which sits within the State Security Investigation Group — was established in May following a rise in incidents targeting members of Perth’s Jewish community. This followed the homophobic bashing and torture of gay men in Perth’s southern suburbs last year where seven teenagers were recently sentenced. The group lured their victims to locations over dating app Grindr, under the guise of meeting for sex, before detaining, torturing and robbing their victims with weapons including a taser, pepper spray, machete and a knife. Det. Supt. Chadwick said calling triple-0 when someone was in immediate danger was still necessary, but that people could contact the hate crimes unit through crime stoppers or via advocacy groups such as Rainbow Futures WA “What we’re trying to do is gauge the extent of the problem, give community an avenue to report, build the trust that when they say things to us, it’ll be treated sensitively, but more importantly, give them assurance that there are things that we can undertake to help them get through what they’re experiencing,” he said. “Whether it be crime-wise or just more broadly, things that are impacting their sense of safety and security. “We know that getting our first contact with a victim is crucial — we want to get it right — and so when it comes to these type of matters, an adverse experience through an officer not being fully informed can have consequences. “That’s why we’ve committed to a pathway of educating, we’ve got (procedures) in place now so officers start to understand the impacts of these type of crimes. “We haven’t had anybody come forward and report a crime (from the LGBTQ+ community) at the moment, but I’d like to think down the track that people who are having these really bad experiences can feel confident enough to come forward and do so. “No one should be subject to horrible abuse, it’s not right.” Det. Supt. Chadwick said the hate crimes unit had the ability to review reports across the State to ensure “a consistent level of service was delivered to people who reported offences against them that touched upon being hate driven”, “People get assaulted and threatened every day of the week,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, but when you assault someone or abuse someone because of who they are, what they look like, or their particular lifestyle, it has a profound effect. “It really goes to the core of their sense of wellbeing, it’s really hurtful, it impacts their relationships and their broader friendships around them. So that’s why it’s different, and that’s why I think we’re really committed to tackling it, and we encourage people to have the courage to pick up a phone and talk to us, or at least report it, even if it’s anonymously. “Help us help not just you, but your broader community who may be experiencing similar things.” Det. Supt. Chadwick said while laws in WA may “lag” compared to community expectations — particularly around aggravating factors of certain offences when a crime is motivated by someone’s sexuality or gender identity — police still had powers to prosecute when a threat to do harm or violence was recorded. “I think the law does take time to catch up,” he said. “The law is specific for race, religion and ethnic background, but there is probably a lag in relation to other identified groups. “I can say with confidence that that has been explored by the lawmakers. The drafting of legislation can be quite complicated, so it’s got to be worked through, but I am aware that they are looking at that to make sure legislation is fit for purpose in today’s society.” Attorney-General Tony Buti said no one in WA should be “subjected to vilification or harassment based on sexuality or gender identity or the fact they live with a disability”. “Serious consideration is being given to reforming Western Australia’s anti-vilification protections to be extended to the LGBTQI+ community and those living with a disability,” he said. Rainbow Futures WA CEO Misty Farquhar said community engagement and approaching groups such as themselves was “vital” for police. “People have run-ins with police even still, and I think the sensitivity to interactions with police is still very much there,” they said. “They might be like, if the police aren’t protecting me, then I’m not going to go back there. “There is certainly a piece of community engagement work that they need to do, which they are doing, from my understanding, and certainly, as a peak body, we’ve shared information about the unit with all of our member organisations who are engaging separately to us. “People can go directly to this unit and they are safe people, which, based on my experience, they are.”