National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2022: A briefing for the Jewish community

12 Oct, 2022 | Latest

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NATIONAL HATE CRIME AWARENESS WEEK (NHCAW) aims to raise the profile of hate crime on the social and political agenda, by encouraging the authorities (Government, Police and Councils), key partners (the anti-hate crime and voluntary sector), and communities affected by hate crime to work together to tackle local hate crime across the UK. 

WHAT IS A HATE CRIME?

A Hate Crime is any criminal offence that is motivated by hostility and prejudice towards a person’s identity or perceived identity. The following are the five nationally monitored strands:

  • Disability
  • Race
  • Religion/Faith
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Transgender Identity

KEY STATS

  • In 2021, 124,091 hate crimes were recorded by the police in England and Wales, an increase of 9% from 2020 with 105,362 recorded offences.
  • People with a limiting disability or illness are almost three and a half times more likely to suffer serious violence.
  • Amongst Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities three out of four have experienced hate speech or hate crime.
  • Racially motivated crimes are nearly three-quarters of the total number, and increased by 12% over the year ending in March 2021 amid Black Lives Matter protests.

CONTEXT

  • Increases in hate crime for all minority and marginalised groups have been seen around the EU referendum in June 2016 and the terrorist attacks in 2017.
  • There was also an increase in public order hate crimes during the summer of 2020 following the widespread Black Lives Matter protests and far-right counter-protests.
  • Lockdown restrictions during Covid-19 meant more time online and a rise in online disinformation and conspiracy theories promote hate and violence.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT FOR US AT RENÉ CASSIN, AS JEWS?

  • As Jews we have experienced our fair share of hate crime, reported regularly by the Community Security Trust.
  • The Jewish community holds in its heritage, values and teachings, warning of the dangers of hate and intolerance.
  • Hate crime, hate speech and threats affect our ability to enjoy hard won human rights, such as freedom from discrimination, and freedom to enjoy our personal and private life.

Research has shown time and again that racist or derogatory language against minority groups can lead to a spike in hate crimes. René Cassin’s and Traveller Movement’s #CutItOut campaign aims to tackle hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric against ethnic minorities or religious groups.

This ‘Pyramid of Hate’ illustrates how small acts of bias and prejudice contribute to systemic violence and human rights violations

WHAT’S HAPPENING AND HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO TAKE ACTION?

LEARN MORE

ABOUT RENÉ CASSIN

René Cassin works to promote and protect universal rights drawing on Jewish experience and Jewish values.  René Cassin works within the Jewish community – by building support for human rights values amongst British Jews, and in the wider community – by bringing the authority of a Jewish perspective on issues that resonate with Jewish experience. Founded in 2000, René Cassin has a dedicated staff team, supported by an engaged Board of Trustees, an expert Advisory Council and a wider group of alumni, volunteers and supporters.

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