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The Scottish Government drives public awareness of reporting hate crime

Victims of hate crime are being urged to make their voices heard and report incidents to the police through a Scottish Government campaign launched recently (23 February 2014).

The Speak Up Against Hate Crime campaign will empower those who experience or witness crime based on prejudice against their actual or presumed race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity to report all incidents to Police Scotland.

Reporting hate crime will help tackle the abuse, send out a clear message to perpetrators of the unacceptability of their actions and work towards preventing acts of hate happening to others.

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with key organisations, agencies and communities across Scotland – including Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and religious organisations – to raise awareness among those affected by hate crime.

At Police Scotland, local policing divisions are working alongside a number of national specialist organisations gathering intelligence on people suspected of committing a hate crime . Every piece of information shared is building a bigger picture of the various levels of criminal activity.

Current statistics show that there were more than 4,000 racially aggravated charges of hate crime reported (4,012) in 2012-13 and that across incidents relating to religion, disability and sexual orientation, there was a significant rise in reported charges. Working with Police Scotland, this campaign aims to ensure members of the public are confident in the reporting process and have an understanding that reporting will help them now and others in the future.

From acts of habitual taunting to physical violence, or online bullying to vandalism, reporting a hate crime of any kind makes a big difference. The Scottish Government firmly believes that hate crime is unacceptable and that everyone deserves to be treated fairly, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion/belief or sexual orientation.

Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: “Hate crime can have a devastating impact on individuals and communities and there’s no place for these incidents in our country. 2014 is a big year for Scotland. With events such as the Commonwealth Games, Homecoming and Ryder Cup all happening in the same year, the eyes of the world will be on our nation.

“It’s extremely important for victims or witnesses of hate crime to speak up and have their voices heard. We take a zero tolerance approach to incidents of hate and Police Scotland is working hard to gather information on people suspected of committing hate crime acts. Ultimately, reporting hate crime assists not only with that particular incident but also helps prevent it happening to others.”

“I very much welcome this campaign which will raise awareness of what a hate crime is, and give victims the courage to speak up while ensuring perpetrators of this damaging prejudice are clear these acts are unacceptable.”

Superintendent Gavin Phillip, Police Scotland, said: "Police Scotland treats hate crime as a high priority and would urge any victim or witness to report it to allow us to thoroughly investigate and deal robustly with offenders. We recognise the impact hate crime can have on individuals, families and communities and will treat each case sensitively, using specialist officers and services where appropriate.

“Police Scotland also recognises that in some cases victims or witnesses of hate crime don’t feel confident reporting the matter directly to the Police and may be more comfortable reporting to a person or organisation they are familiar with. There are a variety of third-party organisations that work in partnership with Police Scotland to receive reports of hate crime on their behalf.”

Keith Lynch, from Edinburgh, and his wife, Tracy, were tormented by local people because of their learning difficulties. People assaulted Tracy on a bus and regularly shouted and banged on the windows of their home.

Keith said: “I felt they were picking on us because we were an easy target because we have learning difficulties. We were scared and felt trapped in the house. We started up a Neighbourhood Watch and after a support worker got involved the Police came. They got hold of one of them and issued a warning. That was last August and since then it’s gone quiet. It’s taken a while but both my wife and I feel happier now.”

The Scottish Government and key partners will engage with their networks over the next two months to encourage the reporting of hate crime within their communities. The campaign will be bolstered by a targeted PR and case study programme along with information issued on local radio stations and in print publications throughout Scotland.

To report incidents of hate crime members of the public can phone the Police on 101 (or 999 if it is an emergency) or report in person at any Police office. They can also complete a Hate Crime Reporting Form online or use a third-party reporting site.