Citation

Williams ML, Robinson AL. Policing Soc. 2004; 14(3): 213-232.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/1043946042000241811

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Using data from a survey of 354 lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people living in Wales, we tested two models that included demographic characteristics (sex, age, children, disability, income, employment status), Wales-related variables (Welsh as first language, geographic region) and LGB-related variables (currently in same-sex relationship, participates in LGB events, visibility of sexual orientation, physical victimization as a result of sexual orientation) as potential influences on respondents' perceptions of discrimination. Our dependent variables included two types of discrimination: feeling unprotected by the law and feeling discriminated against or harassed by the police. It was identified that those individuals who had been victimized tended to have negative experiences of the police. This was particularly the case for male rather than female victims. A similar pattern emerged for feeling unprotected by the law. Demographic characteristics, such as sex, disability and employment status also had a significant impact upon feeling unprotected by the law and feeling harassed or discriminated against by the police. The diverse policing policies and practices relating to the LGB community across the four police forces in Wales have created an uneven distribution of both positive and negative experiences.