National Hate Crime Awareness Week takes place from 10th – 17th October this year.
Raising awareness and encouraging the reporting of hate crimes and incidents is an important task throughout the year, but we can take the opportunity to highlight key activities during campaign weeks.
What is Hate Crime?
A Hate Crime is any behaviour that someone thinks was caused by hostility, prejudice or hatred of:
Disability (including physical impairments, Mental Health problems, learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairment)
Gender identity (people who are transgender, transsexual or transvestite)
Race, skin colour, nationality, ethnicity or heritage
Religion, faith or belief (including people without a religious belief)
Sexual Orientation (people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual)
Alternative Subculture/ Lifestyle (the way a person looks or dresses) - Groups that are described as subcultures often include punk rockers, ravers, metalheads, goths, emo and indie
Why should you report Hate Crimes?
If you tell us what is happening, different agencies (such as the Police, Local Authority, charities and housing providers) can take action against the perpetrator and support victims and witnesses.
When you report Hate Crimes, you are making a bigger difference than you may think. It helps you get support. It helps us make your local area safer.
If you are thinking of delivering an awarenes raising activity as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week you can find further information and resources from the National Hate Crime Awareness Week website.
Click here for more information about National Hate Crime Awareness Week.