Communities in Monmouthshire are being called on to join the council in standing against hate crime and racism at the start of Hate Crime Awareness Week 2020. (10th October -17th of October 2020)
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the campaign, which raises awareness of the impacts of hate crime and offers support to victims of prejudice, hostility and racial abuse. Across the week Monmouthshire County Council will be highlighting the impact hate crime can have on members of the community. Colleagues are also being encouraged to don an item of red clothing for Show Racism The Red Card’s annual Wear Red Day (16th of October). Due to the pandemic and the need for home working, council colleagues are also being asked to change their online work profiles to the ‘Wear Red Day’ square to digitally demonstrate their solidarity with the campaign.
It comes as Monmouthshire County Council has secured funding for the delivery of bespoke workshops for pupils around hate crime awareness. The sessions, which will be delivered by Show Racism The Red Card, seek to tackle hate crime by challenging any biases, conscious or unconscious, that people may have and to look at how these may develop into action. Under the new curriculum, the sessions would contribute to raising ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world and to healthy, confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society. It’s hoped the sessions will be rolled out across schools before December 2020.
Cabinet Member for Community Development and Social Justice, Councillor Sara Jones said: “Raising awareness of these types of discrimination couldn’t be more important as we look to address the hostility, inequality and racism that still exists in the world in 2020. Monmouthshire is proud to be an inclusive county, which celebrates individuals no matter their race, gender, religion, sexuality or background, and hate crime of any sort has no place here. I am proud our organisation supports such an important campaign and we will continue to work to ensure everyone is able to thrive in this community, without the fear of being ostracised for who they are or how they look. I ask everyone be kind to one another and to join us in standing against hate crime and racism.”
Hate crime can have long-lasting emotional effects on people and in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of hate crimes reported to police. To report a hate crime, contact the police on 101 or 999, report online via www.report-it.org.uk or in confidence to Victim Support https://www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk This can help to ensure people report instances of hate crime, victims get the support they need and those committing it are met with justice.