Most Scots gays have been the victim of hate crime

A THIRD of Scotland's gay community say they have been the victim of a physical attack, a survey has found.

Equality charity Stonewall Scotland yesterday said most lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people have been the subject of hate crime because of their sexuality.

Its poll showed two-thirds have been verbally abused but 88 per cent did not report it to police. Only four out of ten who had been physically attacked reported it to the authorities.

The report was published ahead of the implementation of a new law cracking down on hate crime. The Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009 comes into force today.

Stonewall has offered police forces rainbow flag stickers bearing the slogan "Making Scotland Safer Together" that they can display to show the public that they take reports of crime against the LGBT community seriously.

Director Carl Watt said: "Too many people in Scotland experience hate crimes and many don't report it because they think it won't make a difference or because it happens on such a regular basis.

"A quarter told us they accept the abuse and the attacks as part of being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in Scotland.

"We're working with the police to give people the confidence to come forward and report crime, and show perpetrators that attacking someone, physically or verbally, because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, is not acceptable in a modern Scotland."

The charity said 277 people responded to the survey displayed on its website for four months.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said that new legislation would send out a strong message. He said: "There is no excuse for any form of hate crime, it is simply not acceptable and it will not be tolerated."