Violence against gays and lesbians is being fuelled by an increase in the number of homophobic websites, according to the NSW Anti-Discrimination board.

The board says there is evidence of a significant rise in gay hate material on the internet, which can prompt actual violence in the community.

In NSW alone there are five serious assaults on gay people each month, and many more are abused without making a formal complaint or seeking police help.

Rosie Lewis spoke with the President of the Anti-Discrimination Board, Stepan Kerkyasharian.