COC Amsterdam e.o. Safety
COC Amsterdam e.o. is committed to a region of Amsterdam where all lhbtqia+ persons can feel safe to be visibly themselves. We have short lines of communication with local authorities, to identify and address safety issues together.
Why paying attention to safety is so important
Seven in ten lhbtqia+ persons experience discriminatory violence, whether verbal or physical, in their lifetime. Moreover, in recent years, the number of registered cases of discrimination and violence against lhbtqia+ persons has increased significantly. And that is probably just the tip of the iceberg, because unfortunately only about 15% of lhbtqia+ persons report or report discriminatory violence.
What has COC Amsterdam e.o. already achieved?
COC Amsterdam e.o. continuously encourages dialogue at the municipal and policy level with the aim of taking (good and strong) measures against this. In line with our scientific and personal views, since 2011 lhbtqia+ violence can be doubly punished in the demand. Despite our successes, this still deserves the attention of all of us. We do not see a success as an accomplished goal, but a nice step that deserves our continued attention.
Since 2012 it has been mandatory in education to encourage acceptance of lhbtqia+. If you report lhbtqia+ related violence (verbal and physical) to the police, you can claim an officer from Roze in Blauw at almost any location in the Amsterdam region. This is important and often helpful. In addition, since 2022 discrimination detectives have been deployed in the police. There are still not enough of them, so we will continue to give this - and all previous steps - attention.
