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A transgender woman who has been strangled, punched and spat at in the street has spoken for the first time of her horrific ordeal.

Michelle Barrett, 38, who came out in 2012, said she felt "hopeless" and reached the "lowest point of her life" after she was the victim of targeted attacks on a daily basis.

Things got so bad Miss Barrett locked herself away in her home, before finding the strength to report what had happened to the police. She said: "I've had people be violent to me and on one occasion I was grabbed by the throat all because someone hated my guts.

"I have also been spat at and just recently I had water thrown in my face while I was just going about my normal business.

Watch: Serious hate crimes based on race and religion are at record highs

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"I get called all sorts of names. I was once shouted at from a car and called a "fudge packer". It happens a lot. People think I am a drag queen or a pervert."

Miss Barrett says she would eventually build up the confidence to leave her home, only for her to be targeted all over again. She said: "I felt things were very hopeless and I did get to that point where I felt like I couldn't cope, but I did, and I kept going.

"Everyday I got things thrown at me, time and time again, and people tend to think it's a cheap joke.

"It might not have been meant malicious one time, but then you get it two or three times a day and it all adds up and it builds up inside and there is a time where it is just too much.

"You have tried to build up the confidence all day to go out and then something like this happens. I was left scared to go out because of what might happen, I just wanted to hide."

Miss Barrett bravely made the decision to speak out about her experience as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week, which runs until October 20.

Using her own experience to help others

After joining the LGBT community while studying at the University of Hull, Miss Barrett then became a LGBT diversity panel member and has helped others in similar situations to herself. She works closely with Humberside Police to help raise awareness of hate crime and speak with victims.

"Some people are genuinely malicious but then some people need to be educated," Miss Barrett said.

"We have that opportunity to sit down with a neutral environment and talk about the impact of their actions. A lot of the time they don't see the damage they have done.

"Over the past few months I have really found myself and feel a part of the community.

"I go out and meet people and make friends.

"I have also heard stories from other transgender people, some have very harrowing accounts that are very upsetting, but it is important people know hate crime is taken seriously."

Police will support victims of hate crime

Humberside Police community cohesion officer PC Danny Fleming has been working hard to train officers across the force to help hate crime victims. He said: "We want people to report hate crime and hate incidents.

"We don't want people sat in their house, fearful like Michelle was.

"We want people to live as we do in society and enjoy everything society can offer. I am simply talking about going out of your own front door, walking to the shop, socialising with friends and family and doing normal things. It's very important people get our help and support.

"We have lots of people who can help. We don't want you to be isolated. You can trust us and we can help.

"There are a number of ways you can contact us. It's not about being alone and we will be delighted to offer you as much help as we can."

Miss Barrett, who is now in a relationship and has regular contact with her children, says she is in a "really good place".

She said: "It is never about an end game. It has always been about me feeling comfortable in my own skin and being the best person I can be.

"I am not being someone I am not. I have always been a woman but have had to pretend to be a guy.

"I am in a really good place and things are looking up."

The LGBT diversity panel is on the look out for new members. Anyone interested in becoming a member can call 01482 578255.

Click here to find out more about Hate Crime Awareness Week and the other organisations which can help.

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