Hate Crime Awareness Week

October marked National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2022. 

Over the last decade violent hate crime offences have risen six-fold from 12,739 to 63,895. Hate crime levels also rose again last year by 26%. 

 

What is a hate crime? 

A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim, or anybody else, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone’s: 

• Race 
• Religion 
• Sexual orientation 
• Transgender identity 
• Disability
  

These aspects are known as ‘protected characteristics’. 

A hate crime can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault and damage to property. 

 

What is a hate incident? 

A hate incident is behaviour which isn’t a crime, but which is perceived by the victim, or anybody else, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on the five protected characteristics. 

It’s hard to overstate the impact these kinds of attacks can have on their victims.  

 

How can we deal with hate crime? 

Collaborative working is crucial in tackling hate crime and Housing Associations play a vital role in the work to build community cohesion. Part of this involves improving confidence around reporting hate crime – particularly among communities that feel alienated from the Police. 

Now may be a good time to revisit your policies and procedures in relation to dealing with and challenging issues of hate crime in your communities. 

At MSB we are able to assist with any drafting questions you may have and in preparing a strategy to deal with issues of hate crime in your area.