Tackling hate crime – a priority for all society
Date: 4th October 2016
This new report, commissioned by Scottish Ministers in 2015, has set out a number of recommendations on how to help tackle hate crime and prejudice, and build greater community cohesion.
Addressing the issue of hate crime should be a priority for the whole of society, according to the independent report. The Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion was set up by the Scottish Government last year to examine the issue. Their report sets out a number of recommendations on how to help tackle hate crime and prejudice, and build greater community cohesion. This includes the need for stronger partnership working at a national and local level, better data collection on incidents and an approach that is based on prevention and education.
Speaking following the report's publication, Cabinet Secretary for Equalities Angela Constance said: "I welcome the work that the Advisory Group has done in producing this report, which contains important messages that we should all reflect on".
Page 15 of the report recognises that:
The developing attitudes of children and young people towards minorities is vital to long-term prevention and healthy community cohesion. Peer-led support is critical to engaging with children and young people on these issues. Approaches to violence and prejudice pioneered by youth services have an important role to play both in promoting best practice and remaining up to date on trends and dangers. Many respondents considered that it was important to establish a culture of openness and inclusion in schools and considered important to avoid labelling young people as 'criminal' which may be a barrier to working with them to address behaviours and attitudes. This might include fostering a culture of learning to prevent prejudice and discrimination.
The report also recognises hate crime issues in relation to:
- Increasing issue of cyber-bullying for children and young people;
- Continued face-to-face prejudice-based bullying;
- The role of Scotland's Education system in fostering non-discrimination;
- Participation of children and young people in decisions.
- Download the Report of the Independent Advisory Group On Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion here.