Young people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Trans (LGBT) – and involved in criminality – are a ‘‘hidden population”, with limited research of their experiences. Most recent studies of LGBT populations have focussed on victimisation, surviving intimate partner violence, substance abuse or bullying, whilst dominant criminological theory has often focused on gender, race and age. It is in this context that “there is very little understanding of how sexual orientation and gender identity might shape the causes of crime today”.
This Info Sheet, written by Ross Gibson, looks at the challenges faced by LGBT young people, attitudes and implications for practice when supporting this population.