Published October 16, 2017 at 11:11
A week of action is taking place to raise awareness of all hate crimes.
National Hate Crime Awareness Week runs from Saturday, October 14th until Saturday, October 21st, with events taking place all week.
Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or gender identity.
The week’s events aim to bring people together, to stand with those affected by hate crime, to remember those we have lost, and help those who need our ongoing support.
Events are planned to take place in and around Rossendale to raise awareness of how hate crime affects people, to support people who are victims of hate crime and the different forms it can take – and how we can tackle it.
Events include drop-in sessions, networking events, community awareness raising of hate crime and a social media #saynotohate pledge campaign.
This lets all members of the community to speak against acts of hate crime and foster community togetherness.
Councillor Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Council, said:
We are giving our full support to National Hate Crime Awareness Week. It is vital that we continue to work together to tackle all forms of hate crime. We hope that the events and awareness raising this week will help people understand more about hate crime and encourage more people to take a stand against it.
National Hate Crime Awareness Week is a great opportunity for people to talk to others to find out more about hate crime and to find out how to report it.
I look forward to seeing residents at our community events throughout the week.