Richmond’s Palmer secondary is one of the first schools to join the city’s Safe Place program – a police-sponsored program – to give shelter to LGBTQ2S+ victims of crime.
The Safe Place program is a campaign where businesses, schools or other institutions offer a safe shelter for LGBTQ2S+ victims to call and wait for the police when needed.
These places are identified by a Safe Place decal which is placed at or near the main entrance to the building.
Statistics Canada reported that only a fraction of hate crimes against members of the LGBTQ2S+ community are reported because many members fear of being dismissed of their concerns.
The reports also suggested that hate crimes against members of the LGBTQ2S+ community are more likely to be “violent than hate crimes targeting other groups.”
Const. Jace Rondario, Safe Place liaison officer with the Richmond RCMP, said the program’s goal is to build a trust between the police and the LGBTQ2S+ community and provide “feelings of safety and security.”
“The Safe Program allows for schools, businesses and other institutions to self-identify as a ‘safe place’ for members of the LGBTQ2S+ community,” said Ronadrio, adding that it is a place for those who feel unsafe, may be a victim or a witness of an anti-LGBTQ2S+ crime.
“The Safe Place program sends a strong and united message that harassment of, and crimes against, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community will not be tolerated."
