Raising Awareness of Hate Crime
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In October 2010, the first Lincolnshire Hate Crime Strategy was launched, a multi-agency strategy to tackle Hate Crime and hate motivated harassment and incidents in the county.
In October 2010, the first Lincolnshire Hate Crime Strategy was launched, a multi-agency strategy to tackle Hate Crime and hate motivated harassment and incidents in the county.
Hate Crimes happen because of hostility, prejudice or hatred of disability or gender, identity or race, ethnicity or nationality, religion or beliefs, or sexual orientation. The East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership (which covers Boston and East Lindsey) has raised the issue as a priority for 2010/11 and is running a campaign to increase awareness of Hate Crime.
On Monday 17 January, a week of events will commence focusing on a variety of subjects revolving around hate related incidents. Topics covered will include details of new third party reporting procedures and information about Stop Hate UK, a charity that provides independent and confidential support to people affected by Hate Crime and which offers a 24/7 telephone hotline.
The Partnership is honoured to have as one of the guest speakers, Sylvia Lancaster, the mother of Sophie who was murdered in Lancashire in 2007 for dressing in an alternative fashion style. Following the brutal attack on Sophie and her boyfriend, Sylvia has set up a charity known as the Sophie Lancaster Foundation which focuses on creating respect for and understanding of subcultures in our communities. The charity also campaigns to have the UK Hate Crime legislation extended to include people from “alternative subcultures” or “Lifestyle and Dress”.
Presentations will also be given by Melanie Cowell, Equality and Diversity Officer for Lincolnshire Police, Sarah Virr from the Lincolnshire Criminal Justice Board, and speakers from Victim Support.
The specially invited audiences to the events will include representatives from all the involved agencies, public voluntary groups, students, councillors, members of the public and other relevant professionals.
Peter Hunn, Principal Community Safety Officer at Boston Borough Council, said “Victims of hate crime suffer the added trauma of knowing that the perpetrator’s actions are motivated by such hostility. The events arranged for the Hate Crime Awareness Week will give all attendees a greater understanding of the issues involved so that we can build on our existing good practice and work together to address this unacceptable crime”.
