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leeds
racial harassment project
head office tel: 0113 293 5100
email:
info@lrhp.org.uk
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NEWS & EVENTS
HATE CRIME HELPLINE PILOT
A SUCCESS
A helpline
offering support to victims of hate crime will continue to operate following a
successful pilot in Yorkshire and the Humber region.
Over 165 people
who have been harassed because of their race, faith, disability or sexual
orientation have used the Stop Hate Line to report incidents - and get support
for the crimes they have experienced.
The Stop Hate Line provides a confidential 24-hour
alternative to reporting directly to the police, as recommended by the Stephen
Lawrence Inquiry. It gives callers the chance to talk about their harassment,
and obtain information about services and possible courses of action. Details
are only passed on to the police and relevant support agencies with the caller’s
consent.
The Stop Hate
Line, piloted in Yorkshire and the Humber region by Leeds Racial Harassment
Project, is the first scheme to offer this service. The helpline can be used by
anyone who has experienced hate crime – whether as a victim or a witness. White,
Black and Asian victims have used the helpline in equal numbers, with Polish,
Arabic, Kurdish and Algerian victims also receiving support. Anyone affected by
hate crime can call the Stop Hate Line on 0800 138 1625.
Rose Simkins, Director of Leeds Racial Harassment Project,
said: “The Stop Hate Line provides a much needed service. It enables anyone to
report hate crime for free, and from wherever they feel most comfortable at any
time of day or night.
We are now actively seeking funding to keep this vital
service going and are looking to expand it beyond the Yorkshire and Humber
region. We have already received calls from around the UK, which shows that it
is needed.”
Reports made to the Stop Hate Line can also be used to
identify hate crime ‘hot-spots’. Hate crime is unacceptable – and it is
illegal. It can take many forms including verbal or physical abuse, damage to
property, and even murder. All instances of hate crime should always be
reported to the police. However Home Office statistics suggest that over 80% of
hate crimes go unreported.
Notes
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1. |
Leeds Racial Harassment Project is a charity (Registered Charity No. 1062692) which works to challenge racial harassment
and encourage the reporting of all types of hate crime. It
provides support and assistance for adults and young people
living in Leeds who are affected by racial harassment. It also
coordinates over 80 Hate Incident Reporting Centres in Leeds,
and works to support community cohesion in the city.
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2. |
A hate crime is any offence that is perceived by the
victim or any other person as motivated by hatred of
sexual orientation, race, religion or disability.
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3. |
The Stop Hate Line (0800 138 1625) is a freephone
helpline open to anyone who has been affected by hate crime. It
is not limited to only people living in Leeds. |
Leeds Racial Harassment Project
Contact Details:
Rose Simkins, Director
rose@lrhp.org.uk
Phone: 0113 293 5100 |
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