1. society
2. crime

Faith Groups
and Hate Crime
2014
Nottingham & Nottinghamshire
2
Foreword
‘In the city of Nottingham and increasingly
across Nottinghamshire our common
life is enriched by our multicultural and
multi faith communities. But this rich and
fascinating diversity brings with it a greater
propensity for hate crime: a challenge we
must all face together.
Faith organisations in particular have a
key role to play in addressing hate crime,
especially as individual members and
groups are often targeted by this type of
crime.
The purpose of this booklet is to raise awareness of hate crime
and improve its reporting, especially in and by members of faith
communities. As faith groups, we need to become more confident
and knowledgeable about supporting victims and witnesses of hate
crime, as well as helping them to report cases to the police.
I commend what follows to you as essential reading in enhancing
the life of our city and county.’
Peter Hill
Archdeacon of Nottingham and Faiths Advocate on the One
Nottingham Strategic Partnership
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Introduction and acknowledgments
First and foremost we would like to thank all the faith groups that
work endlessly to support those that are vulnerable or at risk of
being vulnerable in society. The recent public spending cuts have
hit vulnerable groups the hardest and made it more important for
communities of geography and interest to come together to fill the
gap. Following our Hate Crime - Communities in Control project,
we recognised that faith groups have an important role to play
in civic and community life and they are stepping up to meet the
challenges. We would like to invite them to consider how they can
address the problem of hate crime which is increasing nationally
and across Nottinghamshire, especially in relation to LGBT, disability
and race. We hope this simple guide stimulates action amongst
people of faith to take small and big steps where possible, to make
their unique contribution to tackling hate crime. A number of faith
groups have shared their thoughts and comments on hate crime in
this guide, which we hope will inspire others.
Special thanks go to the FaithAction Together in Service grants
programme and to the faith groups that we have worked with and
that have contributed to this guide.
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Dr Sanghera
(Interfaith Academic and Scholar)
Toronto, Canada
‘No religion promotes hatred, quite the
contrary; all world religions advocate
love, peace and acceptance of others.
This guide provides information about
hate crime for religious communities
to consider their responses. We need
to recognise, that at times, there is
a disconnect between what religious
scriptures say and how people of faith
interpret this. We need to be on guard
about what is communicated as coming from religious scriptures and
challenge its authenticity where appropriate. Tackling the underlying
prejudice and ignorance that drives hate crime is crucial in helping us to
move forward and we need to focus our efforts on those who are most
at risk. We should aspire to a position where we all share the same right
to live free from abuse based on our personal characteristics.’
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What is hate crime?
Hate crime is any crime perpetrated against individuals on the basis of
their identity. Every crime committed against a person because of their
personal characteristics (for example skin colour, religion or sexuality)
is not only an attack against the victim’s identity but against others of
the same group and against our society as a whole. Courts take hate
crimes very seriously with appropriate heavy sentencing for these.
Hate crime is expressed in many ways and you can report any incident
you believe was motivated by hate whether the incident consisted of:
• Physical attacks – from pushing and shoving up to serious
assaults
• Verbal abuse – using derogatory or insulting words
• Threats – bullying and intimidation
• Damage to property – including offensive graffiti
• Threatening or offensive mail, texts or emails
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Who does it affect?
A perpetrator’s prejudice against any identifiable group of people is a
determining factor in who is victimised. Given that this is sometimes
based on the perpetrators ‘perception’ of a potential victim’s
membership of a minority group, hate crime could affect anyone.
Characteristics often targeted include:
• Ethnicity – you can be a victim of hate crime because of the
colour of your skin or because of the country you come from or
the language you speak
• Faith – someone attacks you because of your religion or for the
lack of a religious belief
• Sexual orientation – this is where you are attacked because
you are gay, lesbian or bisexual
• Transgender status – this is victimisation against you because
of your actual or perceived gender identity (not sexual
orientation)
• Disability – this attack is because you have or appear to have a
mental illness, a physical disability or learning disability
(Other groups affected include the elderly, homeless, asylum seekers/
refugees)
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In Nottinghamshire if you are a victim or
witness to a hate crime, you can:
1. Go to any police station or call 101 – there should be officers that
are trained to be able to deal with your concerns.
2. You can contact Victim Support who understand the damaging
effects of hate crime and know how to deliver effective support on
0300 303 1947.
3. If you are subject to violent attack and abuse then dial 999 – the
police will respond to your call.
4. Go to a place displaying the logo below – they know about hate
crime and will be able to support you in deciding what to do next.
Hate Crime - Communities
in Control
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Hate crime against faith communities
Religious hate crime can be directed at faith communities in a
number of ways – for example vandalism of places of worship,
desecration of burial and final resting places, offensive graffiti
in public places or the circulation of offensive and misleading
information.
The majority of victims of religious hate crime are the Muslim
community, accounting for over half the cases reported (where
faith is a known factor), followed by the Jewish community
accounting for over a quarter of cases.
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Role of faith organisations in civil
society
As the public sector shrinks and more emphasis is placed on local
voluntary and civic society organisations, faith groups are finding
themselves increasingly called upon to tackle inequalities and challenge
discrimination in their communities.
Faith organisations are often equipped with valuable resources
(buildings for shelter and protection) and social capital (volunteers,
staff and access to wider networks), which form the foundations for
their response to communities in crisis. Their humanitarian values and
principles lead them to reach out to people in need and distress and
this makes them particularly effective and action orientated.
The desire to ‘help others’ is an effective motivator for community
service and this has resulted in some faith groups developing
innovative projects to tackle some of society’s most persistent
problems.
10
Role of faith organisations in addressing
hate crime
Whilst it is important for faith groups to support those victims of faith
related and other hate crimes, it is also important to raise awareness
amongst others of what hate crime is and how it affects people.
Faith organisations need to respond collectively to the challenges
faced by the issues raised by hate crime and religious hate crime in
particular and develop responses to deal with them.
More than anything, else faith communities are ideally placed to lead
by example by showing care, support and compassion to victims. A
number of faith organisations have shared their views and thoughts
on hate crime, which we hope will encourage others to consider what
they could do.
Later in this guide, we have highlighted a few things that faith groups
can do to counter hate crime.
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Dianne Skerritt
Rainbow Project
‘Faith Groups have a very
important role to play in addressing
hate crime, as the teachings from
the major faiths follow a teaching
of love, humanity and peace.
However we have to recognise
that this does not always manifest
itself in action. The terminology
of such abuse (hate crime) is not
widely known and rarely acknowledged as a crime therefore
incidents can go unreported. Faith Groups have a responsibility
to raise awareness of hate crime, encouraging reporting and
offering a safe space for victims.
At the Rainbow project, our employees and our Vicar report
hate crimes directly to the local Police Station where our reports
have been handled in a constructive and helpful way.
As a Christian Project based in St Stephens Church/The Vine
Community Centre, our work serves people of all faiths or no
faith. We work with people seeking sanctuary who are often
destitute, FAITH is often the only and most important thing
people in this situation have left to cling to and it is important
that we take our role seriously to help them.’
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Bishop James Stapleton
Open Christian Fellowship
‘Faith groups must educate people to
understand what hate crime is, why they
might be targeted and how to deal with
it. It exists because the perpetrators
think their own culture is under threat.
We respond to hate crime by referring
people to ‘specialist’ organisations who
can offer support e.g. the Nottingham
Law Centre and Victim Support. We
might not have the expertise ourselves and can’t take on everything, but
we can play our part in pointing people in the right direction and that’s an
important thing to do. Hate crime is abhorrent and sometimes the best we
can do is to try to minimise the effect and try to understand where it is
coming from. By doing so, I believe that religious organisations will be better
placed to support victims.’
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Responding to hate crime
1. Be aware of the issues
Hate crime is often based on perceptions of identity and so can
affect anyone, e.g. anyone perceived to be of a certain faith, race and
disability.
2. Find out what the biggest problems are in your area
Some groups of people are more likely to be targeted in hate crimes
than others, so find out about who is most affected in your area. You
could put up a notice asking people to share their experiences with you
to help you get this information.
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3. Get to know the local reporting centres
Hate crime reporting in Nottinghamshire is becoming easier with more
places where hate crimes can be reported. See page 7 to see where you
can go or refer people to.
4. Become a reporting centre
If you know people who are affected by hate crime, then you can
become part of a new network of hate crime reporting centres. Contact
Communities Inc for further information on
[email protected]
5. Be open to conversations around hate crime
There is sometimes a stigma associated with hate crimes, especially if
the attack is based on something that people do not know about such
as your faith or sexual orientation. Let people know that they have the
right to be free from attacks based on personal characteristics and that
you will support everyone.
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Prevention of hate crime
1. Include references to hate crime in your faith practices
Faith organisations are involved in a range of activities in their local
communities and these are all opportunities to raise awareness of
hate crime and discuss with individuals about their responsibility in
creating a stronger and safer community for everyone. Let people
know that hate crime is unacceptable in any form.
2. Encourage new people to participate in your activities
As hate crime is sometimes based on the ‘fear of difference’, take
any chance to diversify your congregation. Ask regular attendees
to invite friends or neighbours to participate in communal
experiences.
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3. Get more involved in your local community
Faith groups often have deep connections within the local community,
but think about how new relationships can be formed. Think about
where your presence can add value to your work as well as the lives
of local people. It may be running activities in local centres or just
promoting your events in different places.
4. Run activities/events for specific groups of people
You may want to look at how you can build activities for specific
groups of people where it may be easier for people to talk and share
experiences. You do not have to discuss hate crime every time, but
have information accessible so people know you find it unacceptable
and know where they can go for support.
5. Celebrate diversity
One way to promote acceptance of others and diverse lifestyles
is to celebrate the diversity in your community. This could involve
celebrating cultural events and recognising difference as a strength.
Activities that encourage this could include cooking classes, fashion
shows and competitions that bring different people together.
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Mr Malkit Singh
Trustee
Ramgarhia Sabha,
Nottingham (Sikh
Gurdwara)
‘The Sikh community is an
easy victim of hate crime due
to our physical appearance:
our turbans and beards
which are key features of our
faith. We are often confused with the extremist portrayed by
the media, but our daily ipractice is far from this perception.
Sikhism is a peaceful religion that preaches equality and a commitment
to justice and in that sense we are against all forms of hate crime. The
Sikh community needs to be vigilant against all hate crimes and help
raise awareness, as well as being more pro-active in taking action to
tackle this’
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M.Sofi Ramadan
Chair
Central Mosque, Nottingham
‘Since
September
the 11th, the Muslim
community across the
world has found itself
under attack due to
the action of a minority
of
people.
Many
perpetrators of hate
crime or islamaphobia
see all Muslims as
extremists and do not
recognise that most are peacefully living their lives according
to their faith. At a local level this hate has translated into attacks on
mosque buildings as well as physical and verbal abuse of individuals.
It is important that the stereotypes are challenged and people are
informed more about what Islam is really about’.
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Reverend Christopher Harrison
St. Peters Church, Nottingham
‘Christians believe that all people are made
in the image of God, and so we are all
equal in God’s sight. This means that there
is absolutely no justification, according to
the Christian faith, for any discrimination,
prejudice or stigmatising of people, and
that differences of race, colour, gender,
sexual orientation, ability, class etc should
not have any effect on the way in which
people treat one another. To direct hostile
acts towards people on such grounds,
moreover, is abhorrent to Christians and
runs totally counter to Christian belief even
if we don’t agree or have much in common with them.
The churches should do all they can to speak out against hate crime, and
to support its victims. Christians should make no distinction, in doing
this, on the basis of race, colour, or religion - all victims of hate crime
need our utmost and total support.’
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Mr Brij Phakey
Chair
Hindu Temple, Nottingham
‘Hate crime is abhorrent
to all people of faith as it
goes against the beliefs
and practices of all world
religions, including Hinduism.
Religious organisations have
a responsibility not only to
their congregations but also
to the wider community.
We need to send a clear message that hate crime is not acceptable
and lead by example by protecting and supporting victims. As
religious leaders are looked up to, they can be good role models for
their communities.’
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Peter Gordon (Dr)
Chairman
Nottingham Liberal Synagogue
‘All crime is wrong, but that
which is motivated by hatred
of a particular characteristic of
the victim, whether it’s their
race or faith, or anything else, is
particularly repugnant. Tackling
hate crime matters, not just
because of the devastating
consequences it can have for
victims and their families,
but also because it can divide
communities. We (the Jewish
people of Nottingham) recognise
from our history the dangers
of prejudice and we know that
Jews and other groups and communities
are still, unfortunately, victims of religion-based hate crimes. We
therefore support the Hate Crime project. We need to be vigilant as
a community and are happy to work with other faith groups to find
ways of combating racial and religious intolerance and hate crime.’
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Sajid Mohammed
Co Founder
Himmah
‘I’m proud to live and work in a diverse and welcoming city like
Nottingham. Our diversity is something to celebrate and it demands
that we act together to end hate crime.
With such a huge gap between reported crime and the reality it is
urgent that we get to the bottom of the situation and get a handle
on hate. My children should be safe to grow up here and live the
lives they choose. No one should suffer discrimination and hate
crime. The work done by Communities Inc is a step in right direction
in addressing the gap in hate crime reporting.’
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Creating homes and places where people
want to live
Hate crime of any kind is not tolerated by Nottingham
City Homes and we encourage people to report
incidents they experience or witness.
We take all complaints of hate crime seriously and thoroughly investigate
all reports. If you are a victim you can be assured we will treat you with
respect.
Our Housing Patch Managers are trained to investigate reports of hate crime
and be supportive and sensitive to the needs of victims. We know that if
you report an incident you want a quick response and be able to discuss the
details in a safe environment. Therefore when you report an incident to us
you can expect us to meet you within one working day, at a location of your
choice. We will discuss an action plan and agree on what will happen next,
including considering immediate legal action to protect you. We will ensure
that you have all the right information to help you make the right choices for
you. We won’t do anything that you are not comfortable with.
If you are a Nottingham City Homes tenant and you experience or witness
hate crime you can report it to your local housing office, or telephone 0115
9152222 or report online www.nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk/anti-social_
behaviour.
If you rent your home from any other social housing provider, you should
contact your landlord.
Communities Inc is a dynamic social enterprise who has identified
a gap in the market for a not-for-profit organisation to create
innovative projects to meet the needs of businesses, communities
and organisations. Our mission is to bring fresh ideas and go the extra
mile to do what needs to be done.
Tel: 0115 9101469
Email: [email protected]
www.communitiesinc.org.uk
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