All Wales Hate Crime Research Project

Mair Rigby

Project Officer

Definitions

• Hate Incident: Any incident, which may or may not constitute a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate

• Hate Crime: Any hate incident, which constitutes a criminal

offence, perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate

- Association of Chief Police Officers (2005)

Hate Crime

“Hate crime is a manifestation of, and a means of sustaining, discrimination against certain groups in our society”

“Hate Crime instills fear in victims, groups and communities. It significantly impacts on the quality of peoples’ lives and leads them to change their habits and lifestyle as they seek to avoid becoming victims”.

Rt Hon. Alan Johnson MP, Hate Crime: The Cross-Government Action Plan (2009)

Forms of Hate Crime

• Racist Hate crime • Religion and faith-based hate crime • Disability Hate Crime • Homophobic Hate Crime • Transphobic hate crime

Aggravating Factors

Sentencing for any crime may be increased if it can be proved that hostility towards the following was a motivating factor:

• Race • Religion• Disability • Sexual orientation• Transgender

All Wales Hate Crime Research Project

5 year Project Plan

Funded by the Big Lottery for 3 years

Partners:

Race Equality First (Voluntary Sector Partner)

Cardiff University (Research Partner)

Cardiff and the Vale Equalities and Human Rights Network (Project Partners)

Need for the Project?

• Hate crime appears to be rising in Wales, but remains massively underreported

• Few perpetrators are brought to justice • Lack of robust evidence base• Victims feel disempowered • Lack of confidence in/awareness of criminal justice

system and support services• Need for data that is specific to Wales

Research

• Phase 1: Quantitative survey of 4,000 -7,000 respondents

• Phase 2: 50-70 qualitative interviews

Distribution of preliminary findings

• Phase 3: Launch of report and campaign

Outcomes

• Robust data for use in policy development, lobbying and fundraising

• Increased capacity of organisations in Wales to respond to and tackle hate crime

• All-Wales anti-hate crime campaign launched

Hate Crime and Housing

Why is hate crime an issue for housing?

• Neighbour disputes • Anti-social behaviour• Property damage • Repeat incidents and escalation • People asking to be moved• Retaliation

Policy

• Have clear policies and procedures on hate incidents which are promoted to tenants

• Take a victim-centred approach• Commit to taking certain actions • Monitor hate incidents • Train staff to recognise hate incidents and ask

questions sensitively

Raise Awareness

• Include information in leaflets, posters, tenant’s handbooks, newsletters, website, meetings

• Promote the work of other agencies e.g. Stonewall Cymru, local Race Equality Council

• Offer a variety of reporting methods • Consider becoming a third party reporting centre

• Work with Police, CPS, local authorities, community safety partnerships, Victim Support and local voluntary organisations

• Find out if there’s a multiagency hate crime partnership in your area. If not, consider setting one up

Partnership working

What support/information do you need to be better able to address hate incidents/crimes?