One in five people have admitted making offensive comments about LGBT people.

A YouGov poll for Stonewall also revealed that a shocking percentage of people admit to not intervening when they overheard derogatory comments.

The poll found that 60 percent of those surveyed admit to not intervening in those situations.

Women were twice as likely as men to confront anyone using offensive comments about LGBT people.

Stonewall, the lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity, releases new research by YouGov today that shows offensive comments are frequently made about LGBT people, but that very few people step in to challenge these slurs.

In the past year, one in five, 19 percent, admitted to making offensive remarks about LGBT people.

30 percent, have heard offensive comments, or language like ‘poof’ or ‘dyke’, in the past month and half, 49 percent have heard this sort of abuse in the past year.

63 percent of those who witnessed this abuse didn’t intervene, almost a third, 31 percent, said they did intervene but just three percent said they offered support or assistance to the person targeted. The research also shows that women are twice as likely to confront someone they hear making offensive comments.

Out of those surveyed, 27 percent of women compared to 13 percent of men intervened.

Stonewall is asking people to sign up to its No Bystander pledge, and commit to calling out abuse when they hear it and to be brave, be heard and be kind. So far more than 16,500 people have signed up.

Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s Chief Executive, said: “These shocking statistics show we have a lot to do before we live in a society where everyone is treated equally.

“To change this, we need people to step in and stand up. We need people to be brave, be heard and be kind. Challenging bullying requires courage but it does make a difference. We’re not asking people to step into situations that are dangerous or to put themselves at risk – not being a bystander can be simply offering support to someone who has been bullied.

“Every one of us has the power to make change and if we each commit to call out abuse and bullying, together we can create a world where everyone is accepted without exception.”

Total sample size was 2,008 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th – 30th October 2015. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).