Introduction
Hate crimes target people for who they are (their identity) or what they appear to be. Hate crime sends a very personal message to its victim and reinforces long-established patterns of discrimination and prejudice against certain communities and groups of people.
Any crime can be prosecuted as a hate crime if the offender has demonstrated, or been motivated by hostility or prejudice, as outlined by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) below.
Hate crime is similar to bullying, and someone can be a victim of more than one type of hate crime.
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Definition of a hate crime
Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on a person's disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity, or any other perceived difference.
Adapted from the Crown Prosecution Service
There is no legal definition of hostility, so the CPS uses the everyday understanding of the word, which includes ill-will, spite, contempt, prejudice, unfriendliness, antagonism, resentment and dislike.
A hate crime can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault, bullying and damage to property.
Hate incidents
Hate incidents are “any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender” (Metropolitan Police). It’s important to remember not all hate incidents will amount to criminal offences, but they should still be recorded, and the police recommend that they are reported.
Prevalence
According to the latest Home Office statistics, in the year ending March 2022, police in England and Wales recorded a 26% increase in hate crimes. The statistics also show that over two-thirds of reported hate crimes were racially motivated, which is a 19% increase from the previous year.
However, due to significant improvements in police-recorded crime in recent years, it’s uncertain whether the increase in police-recorded hate crime is a genuine rise, or due to continued recording improvements and more victims having the confidence to report these crimes to the police.
Spot the signs
The central issue for a lot of hate crimes is the perception that the victim is different. Victim Support says, whilst there are five categories of ‘identity’, as mentioned in the definition above, hate crimes may be targeted at people with other differences (for example, alternative sub-cultures such as Goth).
Signs a person may be the target of hate crimes can include:
- unexplained absence from school;
- a change in dress or behaviour;
- depression or anxiety;
- aggression;
- self-harm;
- substance misuse.
What to do
Settings have the opportunity to influence and develop our national culture and values, creating exposure to a range of views, encouraging openness and challenge, and dealing effectively with issues when they arise. Hate crimes in education settings often take the form of harassment and bullying, including violence.
Ensure any incident of bullying is tackled swiftly – follow your setting’s policy and procedures.
Be aware of vulnerabilities to participation and victimisation – know your pupils and provide support and signposting.
Create an environment based on equality and informed choice – provide information to allow pupils to make informed choices. It’s well established that success in learning within a supportive setting community can tackle prejudice and inequality.
Provide resources to assist reporting – hate crime is a serious offence. No pupil or staff member should suffer victimisation. The setting community should have access to internal and external reporting, such as online reporting.
Check young people have safe relationships – in their family, with their peers and with your staff. Create the environment where it’s okay to talk even about the most difficult things.
Spot the signs and know what to do – you know the children and young people you work with. Be aware of the signs and how to recognise them. Follow your safeguarding procedures and have confidence in your ability to consider hate crime as a possibility.
Take action – any concerns should be raised with the designated safeguarding lead. If a child is in immediate danger call 999.
Keep taking action until you know children and young people are safe.
DSL Training Materials
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Bullying and Hate Crime Presentation
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Bullying and Hate Crime Presenter Notes
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Hate Crimes - Handout
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Hate Crime - Quiz
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Hate Crime - Quiz (Answers)
Resources
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Hate Crime Presentations
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Young People's Resource Hub
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Anti-racism and mental health in schools
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Anti-social media
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Addressing School Avoidance
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Educate against hate - classroom resources
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Trauma Bereavement
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