Hate Crime in Northumberland Summary of Community Discussions 2011 Equality and Diversity Update August 2011

Who is affected? In , 19 cases of hate crime were reported in Northumberland: 18 on grounds of race 1 on grounds of homophobia. Hate Crime in Northumberland Report 2010 Vision Sense research found that for every one crime reported, approximately 20 more went unreported.

Clayton research 48% of transgender people have been victims of assault 78% have been verbally abused by strangers 43% report themselves as a victim of crime motivated because they are transgender. Mind survey 62% of 304 respondents reported verbal harassment and taunting about their mental health.

Equality and Human Rights Commission research Disabled people are four times more likely to experience a hate crime than non disabled people. Mencap research 90% of people with a learning disability had experienced bullying and harassment 66% had been bullied regularly 32% had been bullied on a daily or weekly basis.

Northumberland Community groups’ activity NCDN, CABx and Crown Prosecution host Hate Crime in Northumberland Conference July 2009 Follow up task group coordinated by NCDN has met twice yearly since, focussing on all equalities, and including housing, health. CAB Policy Officer produced policy summary ‘Hate Crime in Northumberland’ Individual involvement in CPS panels, liaison with LMAPs LINk AGM highlighted homophobic hate crime and discussed further with WoWi Group Youth Forum event identified discrimination as top issue Wansbeck Disability Forum engages with Police, ARCH etc and develops project Discussions in Aspire 2B programme and SENACT re BME groups Northumberland Disability and Deaf Network holds consultation event

Feedback from Northumberland Disability and Deaf Network What needs to be done To raise awareness of how to report a hate crime and who to report it to. To have a co-ordinated approach and liaise with NCC. To be involved with LMAPs. To liaise with Neighbourhood Watch Support is needed for people after they have reported a hate crime.

What would help to support people who experience a hate crime? A telephone helpline for people to contact. Support Organisations offering advocacy and aftercare such as WDF Involvement with Neighbourhood Watch co- ordinators. Reassurance about facts of community safety Information about the process

Feedback from Northern Pride consultation Work with local groups Possibly counselling available to bullied people Make sure GPs/staff in rural/traditional areas like North Northumberland are more LGBT aware i.e. Training Tackle homophobic graffiti More information on services

Feedback from NCDN / CAB Conference Hate Crime in Northumberland More diversity voices coming together to look at common issues, through VCS organisations initially Addressing the continuing lack of awareness of what constitutes hate crime and how it will be dealt with A more coordinated response from housing providers Influencing the Council Hate Crime Strategy The potential for the ARCH service to extend into Northumberland

Roles needed Coordinators and sign posters Steering group made up of agencies involved, such as Police - Care Managers DWP - Housing CPS - NHS Staff- GP’s, CPN’s, Midwives and Commissions Schools - Voluntary Organisations Victim Support - Mental Health Services Advocacy - Counselling Politicians/ Councillors Agencies working together Problems identified early are solved collectively Important to raise awareness Reporting Involving support organisations in the process

Next Steps? Working together? Project aims.... Outputs Outcomes