Have you been affected by Hate Crime or are worried about becoming a victim of Hate Crime? Do you know someone who has been affected by it and want some support? Come and talk to organisations who can give you help and assistance in difficult times.
As part of the National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2016, Mencap supported by the Safer Hambleton Community Safety Hub is holding a drop in event with a range of organisations at Northallerton Town Hall between 10am-1pm on 12 October to raise awareness of this cowardly crime and offer any support or guidance to those potentially affected by Hate Crime.
The key message for the event is Different? No Difference! and is open to all members of the community. Hate Crime can affect all sections of the community, regardless of background. If victims have been targeted because of they are thought to be “different” through their race, religion, faith, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity it makes no difference to us; it is still a crime which needs to be reported and we need our communities to know that there are organisations who are there to support.
“These crimes need to be talked about; victims should not simply put up with them because they are believed to be “different,” said Sue Lear, Development Manager at Northallerton and the Dales Mencap Society.
There will be a host of organisations including the newly formed Street Angels, Supporting Victims team, Advocacy and many more at the event highlighting how they can help, and you can talk to officers who can advise on crime prevention techniques as well as give advice on reporting these crimes.
“We know through national and local research that Hate Crime is under reported, victims will anecdotally tell us that that incidents have happened but that they don’t report because it’s something that they put up with. We want to be clear through this event that nobody has to put up with being a victim; and if you’re targeted because you’re thought to be different to the “norm” then there is no difference for the police and other organisations. These crimes will be investigated and support is available.
I encourage everyone who has been or is worried about being a victim to come and talk to us.”
The purpose of the Hate Crime Awareness Week is to tackle Hate Crime issues by raising awareness of what Hate Crime is and how to respond to it, encourage reporting, and promote local support services and resources.
Organisations at the event are: Street Angels, Northallerton and the Dales mencap Society, Hambleton and Richmondshire Local Area Group, Hambleton Community Action, Mental Health Support in Hambleton and Richmondshire , North Yorkshire Police, Hambleton and Richmondshire Community Safety Hub