A RISE in physical assaults against LGBTQ+ people in Jersey has sparked concern, with the Island’s leading equality charity warning the real scale of abuse is likely hidden beneath a veil of underreporting.
Police statistics recently released under the Freedom of Information Law showed that there were 10 incidents of hate crimes in 2024, including six physical assaults.
The 2024 figure was down from 2020, when there were 19 incidents – but up from 2023, when there were two. In 2021 and 2022, each year saw 12 incidents recorded.
Between 2020 and 2025, there were 16 physical assaults on make victims and six on female victims, with no data on non-binary victims, the figures showed.
Kaye Nicholson, who has led Liberate as CEO since March 2024, described the data as “concerning”.
“Personal safety is a common concern for marginalised and minority individuals, whom we know are at increased risk of abuse, harassment and violence,” she told the JEP.
“We are seeing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and rollback of rights around the world; such messages are amplified by social media, traditional media and people in positions of power, contributing to environments in which harmful behaviours then occur.”
Ms Nicholson said that while there had been an overall decline in hate crime, “there has been an increase of physical assaults, which is concerning”.
She added: “It is important to recognise that this data is based on those incidents which are actually reported to the Police, and that according to UK data and anecdotally from interactions we have with community members, LGBTQ+ hate crimes remain significantly underreported.
“In Jersey, a factor in this could be that there is no hate crime legislation protecting minority and marginalised groups, which is something we continue to advocate for.”
She encouraged any victims of hate crimes to report this to the States police.
Ms Nicholson added: “Allyship is often highlighted during Pride month, but it’s important every day of the year. We all have collective responsibility to call out discrimination and hate, and take steps to continue building a safe and inclusive community on our Island.”
