Gays, lesbians and bisexuals report higher rates of victimization by violence

THE CANADIAN PRESS
OTTAWA - Gays, lesbians and bisexuals reported higher rates of victimization by violence than heterosexuals in 2004 - including sexual assault, robbery and physical assault.

The Statistics Canada study examined victimization rates, perceptions of discrimination, fear of crime and attitudes toward the justice system among gays, lesbians and bisexuals.

Similar studies have indicated some factors typical of the so-called gay lifestyle related to higher rates of victimization - the young, singles or students; those living in urban areas and people who go out at night tend to be at higher risk of violence.

But the agency says sexual orientation still figured in violent victimization, even with those factors taken into account.

The odds of being victimized by violence were nearly two times greater for gays and lesbians and 4.5 times greater for bisexuals than they were for heterosexuals.

Despite experiencing higher rates of violence, however, gays, lesbians and bisexuals did not express more fear.

Overall, more than nine in 10 gay, lesbian and bisexual Canadians indicated they were "somewhat" or "very" satisfied with their personal safety, a proportion similar to heterosexuals.

© The Canadian Press, 2008