This blog post was published under the 2019 – 2022 Conservative government

Hate Crime Awareness Week (#HCAW) is a national week of action that aims to raise awareness of and educate people about preventing hate crime. The week of activity encourages people to stand in support of those affected by hate crime, as well as standing up against hate crime itself. A list of upcoming dates and events during #HCAW is available on the Stop Hate UK website.

In schools, take this opportunity to reinforce the important messages of mutual respect and tolerance, and discuss with students how and why the legal system assigns a special status to crimes that are motivated by hate.

• What is a hate crime? When someone commits a criminal offence which is perceived by the victim, or a witness, to be motivated by disability, transgender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, or a combination of these. For example, this might be verbal abuse, assault or damage to property.
• What is a hate incident? Behaviour that isn’t a crime but appears to be motivated by hostility based on these characteristics. It’s still important for the police to have a good picture about these incidents so they can help the public feel safe.

How to report a hate crime?

Unfortunately, many students may themselves have been the victim of a hate crime or hate incident, and this week can be an opportunity to talk about how to deal with the difficult emotions these events can trigger. Practical advice, such as how to report experienced or witnessed hate crime, is one of the ways to address feelings of powerlessness.

• You can report a hate crime or hate incident by calling 101 to speak to the police
• Alternatively, you can report it online using the Police’s True Vision reporting website.
• Call 999 if you’re reporting a crime that’s in progress or if someone is in immediate danger.

Below are some great resources available on Educate Against Hate that you may find helpful. Why not try them out with your pupils this Hate Crime Awareness Week:

• Hate Crime Primary Lesson Plan: Citizenship lesson plan for Key Stage Two on hate crime and the communities and individuals that can potentially be victims.
• No Love for Hate Crime Tutorial session suitable for secondary pupils that defines what hate crime is, providing newspaper articles and video clips to help students identify hate incidents.
• Faith in Us: A resource for schools on educating young people on Islamophobia, including suggested activities to get students thinking about hate crime.
• Respectful School Communities Toolkit: A self-review and signposting tool which can help ensure staff feel confident to address hate-related bullying, complementing the DfE guidance on preventing and tackling

For further guidance and practical tools for safeguarding, visit our Teachers’ Hub.