We learned of the mediated family reunification of a young woman from Turin who underwent an attempted exorcism because she was a lesbian, reported by Gay Help Line to the authorities in 2019. The data and experience of Gay Help Line tell us that domestic violence is the most common crime motivated by hatred of sexual orientation and gender identity.
With alarming frequency, the response to minors and young adults coming out to their families is an escalation of arguments, deprivation of liberty, assault, recourse to reparative theories, or even exorcisms. This is the case in Turin, which Gay Help Line reported in 2019.
To address requests for assistance, our service has established, where previously lacking, best practices for collaboration with law enforcement and prosecutors, such as the Ministry of the Interior's Observatory against Discriminatory Acts. These collaborations are crucial in combating institutional victimization.
Integrating organizations that offer direct support to victims of homophobia and transphobia into the protection system should always be essential. Too often, however, social services lack adequate training, and organizations are not recognized through structural relationships, as is currently the case with other hate crimes.
Gay Help Line has been working for years through legal mediation, addressing the causes and context of violence and also developing support programs for families and educators.
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