Hate Crime

Definition of Hate Crime Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s protected or perceived protected characteristics: Disability Race or ethnicity Religion or belief Sexual orientation Transgender identity A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime. This is the official Government definition……. However, this does not mean that crimes motivated by hostility or hatred of other characteristics e.g. age or appearance cannot happen. For example….. In Lancashire a girl called Sophie Lawrence was murdered, she was viciously attacked by a group of males and went into a coma, she never regained consciousness. She was targeted because she was a Goth…..so although this does not fall in to one of the listed groups its was perceived she was targeted due to being a Goth so it was perceived that it was a crime motivated by Hate…… a Hate Crime

Forms of Hate Crime Physical attacks such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti and arson Threat of attack including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone calls, groups hanging around to intimidate, and unfounded, malicious complaints Verbal abuse, insults or harassment - taunting, offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, and bullying at school or in the workplace **THIS ALSO INCLUDES FACEBOOK TWITTER BBM** This also includes electronic technology be aware and is certainly increasing….

Social Networks Hate Crime on Social Network Sites can be hurtful and is also a Criminal Offence Offences can include obscene and offensive messages as well as ongoing cyberbullying and harassment These types of offences have resulted in custodial punishments Liam Stacey received 56 days in Prison for a racist tweets regarding Fabrice Muamba and Stan Collymore Liam Stacey was arrested after his tweets were reported to police by Twitter users from across Britain, including the former England striker Stan Collymore. The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to the Racially Aggravated s4A Public order Act 1986. He posted his offensive comments shortly after Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during his team's FA Cup quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur on 17 March. The comments included the words ‘WOG’ Stacey sobbed throughout the hearing and held his head in his hands when he was sentenced. He was led away in handcuffs Offenders for these offences are often easily located. Police can easily identify the exact address post were uploaded at.

Effect/Impact of Hate Crime Individual Family / Friends Community Trust & Confidence Community Tensions Safety Public Order It is recognised that hate crime has an enhanced effect on victims when compared to other similar non hate motivated crimes because of the very personal attack on the victims as individuals. Hate crime incidents can also have an adverse impact on the wider community, the social wellbeing of an area and the confidence and trust that people have in the police. There is clear evidence, to show, that being targeted because of who you are has a greater impact on your wellbeing than being the victim of a ‘non targeted’ crime – and this is reflected in legislation where enhanced sentencing powers are available to courts dealing with hate crime offenders. Board blast or BREAK INTO GROUPS AND discuss any of the above TOPICS – what is the impact of hate crime on these.

What is a Third Party Reporting Site Community based location which is accessible Provides open information on hate crime and reporting routes Has staff / volunteers who understand and can assist with recording / reporting / sharing of information Can be confidential Has strong links with local police and partners What is third party reporting

What is a Third Party Reporting Site Receives, records and shares information of hate crimes Provides a community based support mechanism Provides a trusted and safe location away from the police What is third party reporting Why do we need somewhere away from a police station? Discuss that someone people don’t trust or don’t have the confidence to talk to the police. Police accept that some people will never want to provide a statement but may want to share intelligence or information.

Reporting Hate Crime App Directly – Police 101 – Emergency 999 Indirectly to third party or third party reporting site Online http://www.report-it.org.uk/home App All the available research & and testimonies from voluntary organisations suggest that hate crime is hugely under-reported. Examples of third party agencies – Council; University; college; Voluntary group; Victim Support; Friend; Relative; place of worship etc. Over 3000 downloads

https://tellmamauk.org/submit-a-report-to-us/ Signposting True Vision http://www.report-it.org.uk/home Hampshire Police https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/protecting-yourself-and-others/hate-crime/ Tell MAMA https://tellmamauk.org/submit-a-report-to-us/ Hate Crime App Hate Crime Booklet

Managing Risk Call 999 if: Crime is in progress Suspect is on scene Victim is going to place themselves in a vulnerable position or leave themselves at risk of further harm All other incidents to be reported using 101 or the online reporting options of True Vision or Tell MAMA via their online reporting Pro-forma.