Violence against gay men and women is to be given higher police priority and the perpetrators face tougher sentences, justice minister Ivo Opstelten and emancipation minister Marja van Bijsterveldt said on Thursday.

‘Violence against gays is unacceptable and gay men and lesbians must be able to count on the state to ensure their safety,’ Opstelten is quoted as saying.
In particular, ministers will focus on a ‘cultural change’ to boost the acceptance of gay lifestyles by members of orthodox religious groups and ethnic minority groups, the Telegraaf said.
Schools will also get special focus. Research published by the government’s social policy unit SCP last year showed that 12% of young gay teenagers had attempted to commit suicide.
That research also showed 9% of the population still have serious objections to homosexuality, one in five people don’t think gay people should be allowed to adopt children and one in 10 thinks same sex marriage should be abolished.
Related stories
Gay men driven from their home to take legal action
Support for gay rights improves, but schools and religion still a problem