Equality Australia: New police data reveals scale of anti-LGBTIQ+ violence in NSW and need for urgent action
Michael Barnett OAM
February 27, 2026
New police data reveals scale of anti-LGBTIQ+ violence in NSW and need for urgent action
February 27, 2025 — Equality Australia says shocking new police data on anti-LGBTIQ+ violence underscores the urgent need for action from the NSW Government to address rising hate-motivated attacks.
Almost 200 incidents of anti-LGBTIQ+ violence have been reported in NSW since 2023, according to police data obtained by the ABC.
Assault, aggravated robbery and affray were the most common violent offences recorded.
The ABC reported on Friday that many of the attacks appear to be driven by teenage boys, with 36 incidents involving perpetrators luring victims through dating or hook-up apps.
“These figures are shocking and likely only the tip of the iceberg,” said Equality Australia Legal Director Heather Corkhill.
“This data captures only the most serious violent offences and does not account for the widespread verbal abuse, threats, online hate and doxxing that LGBTIQ+ people experience constantly.
“Despite years of sustained warnings about escalating hostility towards our communities, government responses — at both state and federal levels — have fallen short.
“There is a growing online ecosystem radicalising young men, normalising anti-LGBTIQ+ hostility, and fuelling real-world violence. Urgent, coordinated action is needed to disrupt these pipelines of hate and keep our communities safe.”
Ms Corkhill said the NSW Government could take immediate steps to strengthen protections against hate speech, after they were expanded last year on the grounds of race alone.
“Hate speech laws should protect all communities targeted because of who they are — not just some. We need to intervene earlier and call out hate before it escalates into physical violence.”
Ms Corkhill said aggravated hate offences, which commenced in Queensland in April 2024, were also necessary to properly recognise the seriousness of hate-motivated offending.
“Hate is a social problem and can’t be addressed by criminalising behaviour alone, but we still need laws that address the most serious conduct to recognise the extreme harm caused to victims,” she said.
“When hate is properly identified from the outset, it improves data collection, strengthens accountability and recognises the specific harm suffered by victims targeted because of their identity.”
However, Ms Corkhill warned that legislative reform alone would not address the threat.
“That means stronger reporting pathways, proactive monitoring of emerging hate trends, and properly funded, wrap-around support services for victims,”she said.
“Governments cannot afford to treat these incidents as isolated. They are part of a broader pattern and the response must match the scale of the problem.”
An ABC investigation published on Wednesday detailed deeply distressing footage and first-hand accounts of gay and bisexual teenagers lured through dating apps and violently assaulted on camera in Sydney.
In response, NSW Premier Chris Minns committed to take action to combat rising hate against the LGBTIQ+ community.
Media contact: Tara Ravens, 0408 898 154