Giving the right support to people who suffer hate crime is central to a radical rethink of victims’ services across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, Matthew Ellis, set out a vision 12 months ago to put the needs of victims and witnesses at the heart of the criminal justice system in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
In the last fortnight, a new network of specialists who offer support to vulnerable victims has been launched as part of a much wider programme to transform victims’ services in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The specialists sit in 12 organisations that already have expertise in supporting vulnerable people, including those who suffer hate crime.
Hate crime can be where a person is bullied, taunted or physically assaulted because of their sexuality, race or religion, gender, a disability, the way they look or the way they dress.
Deputy PCC Sue Arnold met with charity Stop Hate UK yesterday (Thursday) during National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which runs from 11 to 18 October.
She discussed their Stop Learning Disability Hate Crime helpline which is available 24-hours a day, every day of the year on 0808 802 1155.
Mrs Arnold is a keynote speaker at next Tuesday’s North Staffordshire Hate Crime Conference where disability hate crime will be one of the key themes discussed by experts.
She said: “It’s vital that we raise awareness about hate crime which sees people being targeted simply because of who they are. It can have a devastating psychological effect, especially for repeat victims, driving them to despair or, in some cases, suicide.
“We want to create a joined-up system that treats victims with dignity and respect in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. It’s about making it easier for victims to receive the support they need and putting them at the heart of all we do.
“The new specialists will be an integral part of a new single victims’ gateway in 2015 where one agency will take on the responsibility for providing a clearly mapped out support route for victims of hate crime and other vulnerable victims.”
Tuesday’s conference is being staged by Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).
The CAB hosts the Challenge North Staffordshire network which recently received funding from the PCC to continue its work to support hate crime victims.
