Hate Crime Awareness Week 10-17 October
Students from Haydock High and De la Salle
Schools will be helping to fight prejudice by creating adverts for
local radio station Wish FM that will air during this year's
national Hate Crime Awareness Week (10 to 17 October).
The students' efforts are part of council-wide backing for the
annual campaign that tackles hate crime issues by raising awareness
of what hate crime is and how to respond to it. The council will be
encouraging people to report hate crime and promoting local
services and resources.
St Helens residents are also being urged to go
online and pledge their support for the St Helens No Place for Hate
Crime. The more people who sign the pledge - the greater the local
awareness of the issue.
To reinforce the aims and ideals of the campaign, the
council will also be running adverts on social media and in the
local press.
Hate crime is defined as any offence against or incident
that targets individuals, groups and communities because of who
they are.
It's an act motivated by someone's prejudice towards
another person because of his or her age, disability, gender
identity, race, religion or belief, or sexuality.
There are many different types of hate crime -
including physical assault, damage to property, arson, graffiti,
threats, verbal abuse, bullying and obscene telephone calls.
And while victims of hate crime are often reluctant to
report incidents - due to fear of repeat attacks - the council and
its partners are urging everyone to take action whenever
possible.
To report hate crime call Stop Hate UK 0800 138 1625,
www.stophateuk.org/talkor Merseyside Police
on 101, www.merseyside.police.uk
To leave your message of support against hate crime in St
Helens, visit:
www.sthelens.gov.uk/hatecrime