The NSW Police Force has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of hate crimes and help prevent them across the state.
Announced by NSW Police Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton, the hate crimes have a broader community effect than most other types of crime.
“The impact of a hate crimes and incidents are usually felt beyond just the immediate target,” Assistant Commissioner Walton said, “more often than not, it will extend to families, friends, and throughout communities.”
“We know there is a significant disparity between the number of hate crimes that occur and the number reported to police, with research telling us that less than 25 per cent of victims come forward,” he said.
“It is important for the community to report hate crimes and incidents, not only so victims can be supported and provided assistance, but also so there’s a clearer picture of what’s happening in our State, and importantly, prevent future crimes and disrupt escalating behaviours.”
Assistant Commissioner Walton said the new campaign is aimed to educate the community on what constitutes a hate crime and how it differs from a hate incident, and also raise awareness of how to report both types to the authorities.
He said the campaign had been developed in consultation with community groups and aimed to educate and encourage reporting of hate-motivated crimes and incidents.
“The education package includes a series of animated videos which define hate crimes and hate incidents and provide simple advice to the community about reporting options as a victim or witness, as well as print materials for display in police stations, Government and council offices, local businesses and other community areas,” Assistant Commissioner Walton said.
“With the assistance of Multicultural NSW, the posters, cards, and pamphlets are also available in five languages other than English: Arabic, Hindi, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.”
He said the campaign came after almost two years of community, stakeholder, academic and expert consultation and collaboration; extensive research; a redevelopment of the Hate Crime Guidelines and the Hate Crime Policy Statement; and the delivery of new training packages for all NSW Police Force staff.
Further information about the NSW Police Force’s response to hate crimes and incidents can be accessed at this PS News link.
