Tackling hate crime – get involved
What is the role for housing organisations in the fight against hate crime?
Jeff Cuthbert, the minister for communities and tackling poverty, launched Tackling Hate Crimes and Incidents – A Framework for Action in May. Tai Pawb attended the launch, alongside some 300 stakeholders –proof that there is a huge interest in tackling hate crime across Wales.
The framework and its accompanying delivery plan are not only comprehensive but also innovative. For example it coordinates action on hate crime on the grounds of age (currently not recognised in criminal law), cyber hate, Far Right hate, mate crime and plans action in areas not previously explored.
Tai Pawb has been actively involved in the task and finish group that worked on the development of the framework. The framework has three main aims: to prevent hate crime, provide support for victims and improve the multi-agency response.
The eight-point delivery plan outlines more detailed objectives within each area, including extensive staff and community training, tackling perpetrators, promoting cohesion and good relations increasing reporting and a national campaign. We are pleased to see that the delivery plan is realistic, concise and well focused. The framework and plan contain cross sector commitments and actions including health, education, heritage, housing, local government, police and private sector. Actions from third sector organisations are also included. We are confident that the framework is big step towards changing hearts and minds.
The role of housing
A recent all-Wales survey found that over 30 per cent of hate crime experienced by respondents happened in or around home. This is a staggering figure and higher than that for street hate crime and it means that housing professionals have a very important role to play.
Tensions in communities have already risen and are only likely to increase as a direct result of austerity debates, poverty, scapegoating and negative media coverage of disability, immigration, social housing
and the welfare system in general. We have a role to play in counteracting and building resilience to the negative rhetoric in which more and more diverse groups are being played against each other.
That is why the theme of this year’s Creating Homes (our annual conference) is equality and resilience (October 16 in Cardiff). We are looking forward to working with colleagues to tackle hate crime, discrimination, disadvantage and prejudice.
Tackling hate crime is of course part of a much wider community safety and equality agenda in Wales and the delivery plan has some clear parallels with work on tackling anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse
as well as the work on violence against women. As social landlords in Wales are considering their policies and practices on these topics, they should also consider what they do on hate crime because unfortunately it happens everywhere, and the figures we know are only a tip of the iceberg.
Meanwhile the key things for housing organisations to consider are:
1) What does your organisation do to prevent hate crime on the grounds of race, nationality, disability, learning disability, mental health problems, age, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity?
2) Do you have clear hate crime policies and procedures and if so when did you last review them or conduct an EQIA to assess their impact? Many policies that we have advised on still only referred
to race and racism (generic ASB policy without reference or some consideration of hate crime is also not sufficient). We can review and provide feedback.
3) When did you last train your staff and service users on hate crime? Are all frontline staff aware of how to recognise and respond to hate crime and how to report it? Tai Pawb can help.
4) Do you deal with hate crime on a multi-agency basis? Have you joined or been asked to join a local hate crime and ASB multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC)?
5) Do you have a common risk assessment system you use alongside other agencies, information sharing protocols, clear operational frameworks for any multi-agency arrangements, in-built evaluation?
6) How do you support victims of hate crime? How do you tackle and/or work with perpetrators? Are your staff supported and do they have the right tools to respond to these issues?
7) Have you considered your actions on tackling mate crime (hate crime against vulnerable people, often with learning disabilities) and elder abuse?
8) Have you read the hate crime delivery plan? Available at wales.gov.uk/topics/equality/rightsequality/hate-crime/?lang=en, it contains useful information on what is being planned for and with the housing sector and initiatives and projects that will support housing organisations.
National Hate Crime Reporting Centre
Victim Support has just launched a National Hate Crime Reporting Centre – an extensive programme that will make reporting easier, offer support to victims and use statistical data to target hotspots and prevent hate crime in the future.
Victim Support are also keen to engage with social housing providers to discuss working together. For further information on the project, go to: www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.ukor contact Gareth Cuerden, hate crime project manager, gareth.cuerden@victimsupport.org.uk.
Hate crime toolkit update
Tai Pawb is currently working on a quick update of the 2008 hate crime toolkit for social landlords in Wales (for the Welsh Government). The update will provide brief information on latest practice and key emerging issues. For more information contact: info@taipawb.org
Alicja Zalesinska, director, Tai Pawb, alicja@taipawb.org. For further information, contact tai Pawb: info@taipawb.org, 029 2053 7630. twitter @taiPawb