Victim Support has retained its place as the best third sector employer for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) people in Stonewall’s 2017 Workplace Equality Index.

This is the eighth year in a row Victim Support has appeared in the list of the top 100 most LGBT+ friendly UK employers, and the third consecutive year in the top 20.

At number 20 in the overall UK list, Victim Support has also been ranked as the third best employer in Wales for LGBT+ people.

Diversity and inclusion are key values at Victim Support and underpin the charity’s mission to ensure all victims of crime get the support they need and respect they deserve.

Our charity has a dedicated LGBT+ network, which has been highly commended by Stonewall this year. The network supports LGBT+ employees, volunteers and trustees. It provides a forum for information, networking, and discussion of LGBT+ issues.

The LGBT+ network is one of three key networks at Victim Support that celebrate the equality, diversity and inclusion of our workforce — along with the disability and mental health network and the black, Asian and minority ethnic network.

In 2016, Victim Support hosted a series of LGBT+ networking events on trans and bisexuality awareness, as well as an event focused on being black, Asian or minority ethnic and LGBT+.

Lucy Hastings, Director and LGBT+ senior champion at Victim Support, said:

‘We’re very proud Victim Support has been recognised again as one of the top LGBT+ employers in the UK, and delighted we retained our position as the best third sector organisation.

‘Inclusion and equality are key values for us, both when it comes to the people we support and the people work with, and we’re proud to celebrate the diversity of our workforce.

‘Over the past year, our highly commended LGBT+ network has held a series of awareness and networking events for staff, volunteers and the public, and we were proud to have had our largest ever presence at Pride in London, as well as attending local Pride events across the country.

‘We continue to train our staff to promote awareness of LGBT+ issues and ensure equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our policies and support we provide.’