Hate Crime Reporting Campaign 2009/10

  
     

 

 

      
This years LGBT History month has got off to a great start with Rainbow Network backing West Midlands Police's latest campaign to get people reporting hate incidents or crimes. 

As part of the campaign, colourful postcards and posters have been distributed to bars, libraries and other public places encouraging people to report homophobic incidents to police.

Last year, gay rights group Stonewall published a report which found that 77 per cent of victims do not report incidents.

In March 2008 West Midlands Police launched a hard-hitting campaign which starred local people and featured images of violence and criminal damage perpetrated against lesbian, gay and trans people, highlighting the effect that hate crime can have on victims.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Cann said: “Our commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people is clear. West Midlands Police will not tolerate individuals being targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“We want people to report hate crime to us. Only by working together will we tackle LGB&T hate crime effectively.”

PC Jim Field-Evans, chair of the force’s Rainbow Network, which is backing the campaign, added: “With total crime down, the West Midlands is safer now than it has been for 18 years. Unfortunately, some people still target others because of who they are.

“I would encourage anybody who is a victim of hate to report the incident to police to help us catch offenders and bring them to justice.”

The Rainbow Network is the internal staff network for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans employees.

The network - established in 2000 – has over 350 members and advises the force on LGB&T issues in conjunction with other local community groups.

This year West Midlands Police were ranked in 19th place in the national Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, which recognises the top 100 employers of gay people.

People can report hate crimes by calling 0845 113 5000, the new 0345 113 5000 number, or on line via the West Midlands Police website, where personal safety advice can also be found.
 

      
 

 
 

Hate Crime Reporting Campaign 2008
  The posters from 2008 sparked a lot of discussions by highlighting the abuse that LGB & T people can face on a daily basis from name calling, damage to their property or even physical abuse.

 

    
  In 2005 the Home Office published research that showed that 90% of hate crimes were not reported to the police.

 

 

    
   

3 years later this figure has dropped to 77% but still illustrates the huge amount of under reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2009 campaign will run throughout the year and will try and increase peoples trust and confidence to make hate history !

    
           

 

 

 

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