Help is there for victims of hate crime

Release Date: 24-Nov-2008

Communities throughout Bristol are being assured that there is a network of support available for victims of hate crime.

The Safer Bristol Partnership has set up a series of hate crime reporting stations throughout Bristol to ensure that individuals being singled out for physical or verbal abuse because of their race, disability, religion or sexuality can report the incidents and receive support.

There are currently 15 reporting centres across the city at venues such as Barton Hill Settlement and Bristol Community Housing Foundation in Horfield, as well as in some health centres and advice centres.

Individuals can visit the reporting stations and make an informal, confidential report to a trained member of staff. The report is then passed to Bristol City Council's Equalities Unit, which records the data and, if the victim has requested it, can refer them to agencies which can offer support and advice.

Reports can be made anonymously if the victim feels they just want to talk to someone about the incident.

The trained staff at the reporting stations do not offer victims counselling or ongoing support but can refer people to agencies which can offer them the support they need.

By encouraging the reporting of hate crime the council, police and their partner agencies can recognise problem areas in the city and direct resources where they are most needed.

Councillor Derek Pickup, Cabinet Member for Care, Tackling Deprivation and Crime, said: “Hate crime is one of the most under-reported crimes in the city; often victims might see the incident as minor and not something to bother the police with or may be apprehensive about getting involved in a formal complaints system.

“These new reporting stations aim to provide a friendly, welcoming environment where victims can report incidents informally and will hopefully encourage more people to come forward and report this type of crime.

“Hate crime ruins lives and will not be tolerated in our city. With the introduction of these new reporting facilities and the support of Bristol's local communities I'm confident we can make a significant impact in tackling hate crime.”

Brian McCutcheon, Chair of the Safer Bristol Partnership, said: "Quality of life in Bristol includes treating people with respect and consideration. Hostility and hate has no place in a city like Bristol. We in Safer Bristol are committed to increasing reporting of this discrimination so we can build even more trust and confidence for the people who live in and visit our great city."

Avon and Somerset Police Assistant Chief Constable John Long said: “"The Strategic Partnership Against Hate Crime (SPAHC) has been working hard to make it easier for victims to report hate crimes of all types. This includes racist, disablist and homophobic incidents as well as the other equalities areas. As Chair of SPAHC, it is clear to me that its members are determined to improve the service to victims. We need to do all we can to ensure this happens and third party reporting centres make an important contribution to this."

To find out more about what is classed as ‘hate crime’, ways to report a crime and where to go to get support, visit www.bristol.gov.uk/hatecrime

Author: Matt Smith

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