Hate crime investigations

This letter to the editor about the murder of Kamehn Schrader was published in the Hobart Mercury on August 21st, 2007.

When a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) person is assaulted or murdered, hate should be one of the first motives seriously considered by investigators.

However, it appears that in the case of Kamehn Schrader it took her friends to raise this possibility.

When gay-hate is the motive for violent assault it can leave tell-tale signs, both on the victim's body and in the attacker's version of events.

The alertness of investigators to these signs is the first, crucial step to understanding and preventing hate-motivated attacks.

It would reassure many LGBT people if the authorities could make it clear whether they routinely consider and investigate hatred as a motive for violent crime.

Yours Sincerely,
Rodney Croome.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group
0409 010 668